The EBA observes an increase of high earners in the EU in 2022

The European Banking Authority (EBA) published today its Report on high earners for 2022. The analysis reveals an increase of the number of individuals working for EU banks and investment firms who have received a remuneration of more than EUR 1 million. This increase is linked to the overall good performance of institutions, expansion of business and salaries adjusted for inflation.

In 2022, the number of high earners receiving a remuneration of more than EUR 1 million increased by 19.7%, from 1 957 in 2021 to 2 342 in 2022. The EBA’s analysis also includes data on the gender distribution among high earners, highlighting a persistent gender imbalance within the financial sector, and particularly the highest paid positions. 

The weighted average ratio of variable to fixed remuneration for all high earners of credit institutions stood at 85.3%, while it reached 489% for high earners of investment firms, for which the ratio between the variable and the fixed remuneration no longer applies as of 2021. 

Legal basis and next steps

This Report has been developed in accordance with Article 75(3) of Directive 2013/36/EU and Article 34 (4) of Directive (EU) 2019/2034, which mandates the EBA to collect information on the number of individuals per institution that are remunerated EUR one million or more per financial year (high earners) in pay brackets EUR one million, including the business area involved and the main elements of salary, bonus, long-term award and pension contribution.

The EBA collected data for 2022 based on revised Guidelines on the data collection exercises regarding high earners under Directive 2013/36/EU and Directive (EU) 2019/2034, which prolonged the period for the data collection compared to future years to allow for the implementation of the revised framework at institutions, investment firms and competent authorities.

The EBA will continue to publish data on high earners annually, to closely monitor and evaluate developments in this area. 

Notes to editors

Key figures have been visualised in a dynamic way. To facilitate the navigation, please find below the full list of key figures that you can find in the graphs:

Slide 1: Evolution in the number of high earners in EU27/EEA Member States

Slide 2: Number of high earners (data for 2022) by Member State (EU and EEA) and payment bracket  of one million Euro (e.g. EUR 1 mn to EUR 2 mn)

Slide 3: Number of high earners (data for 2022) by Member State (EU and EEA) and gender for institutions and investment firms

Slide 4: Percentage of female high earners for institutions and investment firms (data for 2022)

Slide 5: Ratio between variable and fixed remuneration of high earners by Member State