The average Spanish worker earns €1,615 per month compared with €1,916 across the EU, placing Spain 15th in an income table headed by Norway, a report compiled by Adecco has revealed.

The employment consultancy firm found that the average Spanish wage is 16.6% below the EU average, with Norway topping the table with an average wage of €3,644, more than double the average salary in Spain.

The study, known as the Adecco Monitor of Employment Opportunity and Satisfaction, is based on figures from the last five years, according to the Europa Press agency.

Countries with above-average wages include Germany (€2,421), the UK (€2,321) and France (€2,130). Italy is below the European average but still above Spain with €1,898.

Average wages in Ireland (€2,866) and Cyprus (€1,657) are still higher than in Spain despite both countries having their economies bailed out, although the report states that the situation in Cyprus is likely to change.

There are twelve European countries with lower average wages than Spain, including Portugal (€1,078) and Greece, for which no reliable data exists.

Figures show that the average wage in Spain has increased just 5% since 2008.