Just over 192,000 people cross the border into Luxembourg for their jobs

Photo: Guy Jallay

Luxembourg drew in more than 192,000 cross-border workers last year but while French nationals made up the largest group, they were also the lowest earners.

Commuters from France made up just over half of the country’s cross-border workers in 2018. Germany and Belgium accounted for around a quarter each.

However, average annual salaries varied significantly. While Belgian cross-border workers earned just under €59,500 annually, this amount was at just €48,845 for the French, data released by national statistics office STATEC shows. Germany came in at €57,205.

French cross-border workers work predominantly in lower-earning jobs, for example in the food services or retail sectors. They are also younger on average than their German and Belgian counterparts.

Overall, cross-border workers earned €11.5 billion in wages last year.

And there is no sign that the influx of foreign workers is slowing down. Year-on-year the number of cross-border workers grew by 3.9% in 2017 and 4.5% in 2018.

Only 1,500 people commute the other way, from Luxembourg to France, Belgium or Germany.

However, around 11,290 Luxembourg residents are also considered cross-border workers since they work for the European or other international institutions in the country, which are technically not considered as Luxembourg territory.

These include, the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, the European Schools, the Court of Justice of the European Union but also Eurocontrol and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.

Together, Luxembourg residents working at these institutions earned €1.4 billion in 2018.

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