"In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the euro area labour market showed remarkable resilience despite weak economic growth and various challenges, including supply chain disruptions, the energy crisis and geopolitical tensions. The relative strength of the labour market compared with economic activity led to a marked decline in measures of labour productivity. Factors such as reduced real wages, increased profit margins, lower average hours worked and strong labour force growth contributed to favourable labour market dynamics, encouraging firms to hire or retain workers. Looking ahead, there are signs of easing in the labour market as some of the factors sustaining employment subside, aligning labour market dynamics more closely with economic activity. Nevertheless, structural issues, such as declining average hours worked and labour force dynamics, may persist."

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