A new report from Oxfam Intermón reveals that the 100 largest European companies distribute 70% [1] of their profits among top executives.

These findings highlight a deepening divide between corporate leadership and the general workforce. The data suggests that wealth generated by large-scale European operations is increasingly concentrated at the top, limiting the financial gains reaching average employees.

According to the report, the average CEO salary in Europe is 78 times [1] higher than that of their average worker. This disparity is more pronounced in Spain, where the CEO-to-worker pay ratio reaches 119 times [1].

"The wage gap between CEOs and average workers has skyrocketed to 78 times at the European level and 119 times in Spain," María García, a spokesperson for Oxfam Intermón, said.

Beyond pay disparities, the report identifies a significant gender imbalance within corporate power structures. Only 10% [1] of senior management positions are held by women.

"Only 10% of senior management positions are occupied by women," García said.

The concentration of wealth is not limited to salaries but extends to the overall distribution of corporate earnings. Juan Pérez, a director at Oxfam Intermón, said that 70% [2] of the profits of large companies are concentrated in the executive leadership.

Oxfam released the report earlier this month to alert the public and policymakers about growing wage and gender inequality within the continent's largest corporations. The organization argues that these trends reflect a systemic issue in how European businesses allocate their resources.

“The 100 largest European companies distribute 70% of their profits among top executives.”

This report underscores a trend of extreme wealth concentration in the European private sector. By quantifying the gap between executive compensation and worker wages, Oxfam Intermón provides a benchmark for policymakers considering corporate governance reforms or pay-ratio disclosures. The stark gender disparity further indicates that structural barriers to leadership persist despite corporate diversity initiatives.