Geography of Income - How Much Teachers Are Paid in Ukraine and Europe.

Teachers, without exaggeration, shape the future of the country, and their work must be adequately compensated. European countries are gradually raising teachers' salaries, recognizing this as a strategic investment in society. At the same Time, teachers' income in Ukraine remains low, forcing many talented educators to seek other jobs.

News.LIVE researched how teachers' salaries differ in Ukraine and European countries.

Teacher Salary in Ukraine

The average salary of a teacher in Ukraine, according to the State Statistics Service, is about 14,200 UAH per month. If converted to European currency at the current exchange rate, it is approximately 290 euros. This is composed of the base salary, seniority allowances, prestige bonuses, and other supplements.

How Much Teachers Are Paid in Europe

Teachers' salaries in most European countries change from year to year. In addition to economic factors, salary levels depend on the education and qualifications of the teacher, their experience, as well as the type and location of the educational institution. Currently, the average monthly salaries for teachers in Europe are as follows:

• Switzerland - 6,200 euros;
• Luxembourg - 6,000 euros;
• Denmark - 5,600 euros;
• Netherlands - 5,000 euros;
• Norway - 5,000 euros;
• Austria - 3,900 euros;
• Finland - 3,500 euros;
• Sweden - 3,400 euros;
• France - 3,000 euros;
• Germany - 2,900 euros;
• Spain - 2,550 euros;
• Italy - 2,550 euros;
• Poland - 1,200 euros.

Each European country allocates a certain part (on average 4.9%) of its gross domestic product (GDP) to educational institutions at all levels, from primary to higher education. The least is allocated by Greece, Lithuania, and Ireland - 3%, while the most is allocated by Norway, Sweden, and Denmark - about 6-7%.

Are Ukrainian Teachers' Salaries Planned to Be Raised

The government believes that teachers' salaries in Ukraine need to be revised, primarily regarding the approach to their calculation. The documents regulating the payment of teachers' salaries were developed 20-30 years ago and do not meet modern requirements.

'The established teacher's rate and its amount does not even reach the minimum wage. And then there are a large number of supplements and allowances: for seniority, for class supervision, for grading notebooks, for prestige, etc.', says educational ombudsperson Nadia Leshchyk.

However, the official emphasized that it is impossible to simultaneously raise the salaries of all educators under martial law due to the limited financial capabilities of the state, but gradual increases are necessary.

Previously, we wrote about how teachers' work is compensated during the summer period and how much they will be paid in August 2025.

Also, find out how much teachers in Ukraine will earn in the coming years.

The average salary of a teacher in Ukraine is significantly lower than in most European countries, which may stimulate the loss of teachers and their search for other job opportunities. The state needs to review the teacher salary system to ensure proper working conditions and encourage qualified specialists to stay in the education sector.