Teacher salaries, when adjusted for inflation, have declined in many European countries in recent years. This article examines these trends over time to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape.
A recent report from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) indicates that secondary classroom teacher recruitment in England hit just half of its target for the 2023/24 academic year. Despite this, Indeed’s job postings ranked teaching as the top job in the UK for 2025 in terms of hiring. This shortage is not unique to England; it is a widespread issue across the European Union (EU).
The decline in teacher salaries, adjusted for inflation, is a significant contributing factor to the recruitment crisis. In the last decade, several European countries, including England, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Finland, have seen their education sector salaries diminish.
Salaries Fall in Nearly Half of Countries Over Eight Years
According to the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2024 report, the real-term salaries of lower secondary teachers declined in 10 out of 22 countries and regions between 2015 and 2023. Luxembourg experienced the steepest decline, with a 11% drop, followed by Greece (9%), and Ireland, Finland, and Italy (6%).
The average salary increase in the EU-25 was only 4%, reflecting a mixed picture. Turkey showed the most significant increase at 31%, while Czechia and Scotland recorded rises of 16% and 12% respectively.
Between 2013 and 2023, similar trends persisted. Greece recorded a 12% decline, Luxembourg and the trio of Ireland, Finland, and Italy each saw a 7% decrease. England’s salaries fell by 5% in real terms over the same period.
While Hungary’s salaries dropped 3% between 2015 and 2023, from 2013 to 2023, they increased by 45%. This stark contrast highlights the variability within the decade.
Salary Changes Over a Longer Period: 2005 to 2023
Expanding the timeline to 18 years, Greece’s teacher salaries fell by a third (33%), marking one of the most dramatic declines in real terms. Portugal experienced a decline of 13%, while Italy and England each saw their salaries drop by 12%.
Smaller decreases were observed in Spain and Finland (both 5%) and France (2%). In contrast, Turkey saw a 59% increase in teacher salaries, with Poland, Germany, and Norway all showing positive trends.
The trend of declining salaries post-COVID-19 is evident. In England, for example, while 2020 and 2021 saw a slight increase, 2022 and 2023 brought a notable drop, reflecting eroding purchasing power.
Which Countries Pay Teachers the Best?
Teacher salaries vary significantly across Europe, influenced by qualifications and experience. According to the European Commission’s Eurydice report, starting teachers in 2022/23 earned between €9,897 in Poland and €84,589 in Luxembourg.
German Teachers Earn Nearly Double those in France
German teachers earned €62,322, almost double the €32,186 earned by teachers in France. Spain’s teachers earned slightly more than France’s with €36,580, while Italy’s teachers took home €27,079.
In EU candidate countries, salaries are significantly lower, averaging less than €12,000 annually.
Teacher Salaries Adjusted for Purchasing Power
To provide a fairer comparison, salaries are adjusted in Purchasing Power Standards (PPS). This standard reflects the same purchasing power across different countries, making one PPS theoretically equal in buying power anywhere.
Starting salaries in PPS ranged from 11,826 in Slovakia to 49,015 in Luxembourg. While the gaps between countries have narrowed, disparities still exist.
The OECD highlighted that salary levels are just one aspect of attracting and retaining teachers. Professional development and job satisfaction are equally critical.
ADVERTISEMENTJack Worth, School Workforce Lead at NFER, underscores the urgency of addressing teacher recruitment and retention challenges. “We risk compromising the quality of education for our children and youth unless we take decisive action,” he warns.
In conclusion, the decline in teacher salaries across Europe, particularly since the 2000s, poses significant challenges for the education sector. Countries with falling salaries are grappling with recruitment shortfalls, while others see improvements. The need for salary adjustments, professional development, and job enhancements is clearer than ever.
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