RTL Today - Wealth map: Eleven Luxembourg communes now boast average salaries over €10,000

While eleven Luxembourg communes now report average salaries above €10,000, a closer look at the median income reveals a more nuanced picture of wealth distribution and a significant urban-rural split.

Eleven Luxembourg municipalities now boast an average monthly salary that exceeds €10,000, a significant increase from just five municipalities in the recent past.

The latest figures, provided by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC), show Niederanven maintaining its top position in the annual ranking. Its average monthly salary has risen markedly over two years, from €12,645 to €14,258.

Following Niederanven in the top five are Schuttrange (€12,252), Strassen (€11,920), Leudelange (€11,916), and Bertrange (€10,904). It is worth noting that these figures represent the average salary, which is distinct from and higher than the median salary in each municipality. The average can be skewed upwards by a small number of very high earners, meaning not all residents in these areas command such high incomes.

The photos published on this site are subject to copyright and may not be copied, modified, or sold without the prior permission of the owner of the site in question.

For a more accurate picture of typical earnings, the median salary is a more reliable indicator. It represents the point at which half of the population earns less and the other half earns more.

A median salary above €7,000

Niederanven also leads in median salary at €7,236. In this ranking, the municipality of Weiler-la-Tour (€6,879) takes fourth place from Leudelange, demonstrating how the median can change the hierarchy compared to average salary figures.

Nationwide, 23 municipalities have a median salary above €6,000. This includes Luxembourg City, which is renowned for its high annual salaries. The capital's median salary is €6,049, placing it 23rd nationally, while its average salary of €10,218 ranks 9th. This discrepancy between its average and median rankings illustrates the significant income disparities within Luxembourg City.

Rural municipalities lag behind

A clear geographical divide in income is confirmed by the latest STATEC figures, which show salaries tend to decrease significantly outside of the country's primary economic hubs.

This trend is evident in the seven Luxembourg municipalities where the average monthly salary falls below €5,000. Examples include Wiltz (€4,518), Vianden (€4,660), and Reisdorf (€4,386). Notably, the southern communes of Differdange (€4,650) and Pétange (€4,632) also rank among the lowest, despite their proximity to Esch-sur-Alzette.

The median salary in these areas presents an even clearer picture of local earning power, failing to exceed €4,000 per month in the lowest-ranked municipalities. This indicates that half of all salaried residents in these communes earn less than this amount, placing a significant portion of the population relatively close to the 2024 at-risk-of-poverty threshold of €2,540 per month.

It is important to note that STATEC's calculations are based on data from the General Inspectorate of Social Security (IGSS). This dataset includes the gross salaries of salaried employees – incorporating bonuses and pay for non-worked hours – but does not include income from self-employment.