Undeclared work in the European Union - Eurobarometer 284

The Eurobarometer survey 'Undeclared work in the European Union' - the first ever Europe-wide harmonised survey on this sensitive topic – confirms the existence of a large market for undeclared work all over the EU. The Eurobarometer survey reveals that undeclared work is particularly widespread in southern and eastern Europe. Across the EU, 5% of employees admit receiving cash-in-hand wages, varying from 3% or less in most continental countries, the UK and Ireland, to over 10% in some central and eastern European countries. Undeclared work is more concentrated among students, the unemployed and the self-employed, and has a higher incidence in the construction and household services sectors. The detection risk also matters: people who consider the risk to be small are more likely to be involved in undeclared work.

The link address is: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_284_en.pdf