Higher bonuses for employees in 2011

The average annual bonus of employees has risen by 5 percent in 2011. The highest average bonuses were paid in the sectors mineral extraction and financial services. Bonuses paid in the (semi-)public sector were far below the average of 2 thousand euros.

Highest average bonuses paid in mineral extraction sector

The sector mineral extraction topped the list in 2011 with an average bonus of 12.5 thousand euros per working year. With 8 thousand jobs, mineral extraction is a small sector. The sector financial services (e.g. banks, insurance companies and pension funds) occupied second place with an average bonus of 7.1 thousand euros per working year. This sector includes 260 thousand jobs. Annual bonuses were also high in the relatively small energy sector.
The average bonus was more than 2 thousand euros in 2011. Bonuses in the (semi-)public sector, e.g. public administration, health care and welfare, education and culture were far below average. In the sector hotels and restaurants and in agriculture bonuses are rarely paid.

Average bonus per working year, 2011

Higher average bonus in private sector

The average bonus increased in most branches in 2011. The most substantial increase occurred in the energy sector (38 percent). In water collection, bonuses were raised by 24 percent. Bonuses were cut in branches like public administration and immovable property and also in the construction sector and in health care and welfare.

Average bonus per working year, 2010-2011

Uneven distribution bonuses

On average, 3 percent of employee jobs generated bonuses ranging from 5 to 10 thousand euros in 2011. Less than 2 percent of employees received annual bonuses between 10 and 25 thousand and more than 0.5 percent received higher bonuses. High bonuses were most common in the sector mineral extraction. One in five jobs generated annual bonuses varying between 10 and 25 thousand euros and one in nine jobs involved higher bonuses. In the energy sector, one quarter of jobs earned bonuses of 5 to 10 thousand euros.

Jobs of employees with bonuses of 5 thousand euros or more, 2011

Marjolijn Milot-Trijssenaar