Novice teachers in Hungary paid less than 1/5th of annual salary of Danish counterparts

On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, which falls on 5th of October, Eurydice, a network within the European Commission with a mission to overlook the organisation of education systems, published an annual report on the salaries and allowances of the teachers in 27 member states and 10 West-Balkan states. One of the key findings is that it takes Hungarian teachers 42 years to reach the maximum possible salary for their work, while in Denmark, this can be achieved in just 12 years.

Salaries and PPS

As Népszava reports, in the European Union, it is a policy for the member states to ensure an annual gross salary of between €4,000 and €92,000 to their citizens. The report notes that there are striking differences between countries, highlighting five member states, where the novice teachers’ salaries are below €10,000 per year. Hungary is amongst these states. However, the report not only presents the salaries of different countries but also measures the purchasing power parities (PPS) of teachers’ salaries, which accounts for differences in price levels between countries. The PPS statistics align with the salary measurements. There are significant differences between countries, with gross starting salaries ranging from 11,000 to 59,000 PPS per year in the states that were included in the report. Hungary is amongst the lowest-ranking EU countries, with PPS of 13,465, surpassing only two countries: Lithuania, with a PPS of 12,739 and Slovakia, where the PPS is 13,319.

Career development of teachers in Hungary

The difference in pay among countries is not necessarily reflected in statutory wages. Where the differences become most evident is in the salary levels corresponding to various stages of education. Across the countries which were examined, salary increases for novice teachers differ over the course of their careers. While the rise can be as low as 16% (Denmark), it can reach as high as 143%(Cyprus). As a result, while it takes only 12 years in Denmark to reach the maximum income for a teacher, in Hungary, it takes nearly four times as long – 42 years.

In Hungary, teacher salaries have seen only small hikes in recent years, closely tracking inflation without significant growth in real value. In contrast, in other countries like the Czech Republic, teacher salaries have surged by 30% over the past five years. According to the study conducted by Eurydice, the average teacher salary shows a strong correlation with the GDP per capita. An example of a country where teacher salaries correspond to a lower GDP is Hungary.

In conclusion, the report published by Eurydice presents us with valuable yet shocking insights into the Hungarian education system, highlighting that teacher salaries in Hungary are among the lowest in the region. In addition, it also reveals the extended duration it takes for a novice teacher to reach their maximum salary.

Author: István Martin Németh

Source: nepszava.hu