13 – Personnel expenses and employees

Personnel expenses

Personnel expenses increased by 8.2%, from €9,224 million in 2014 to €9,982 million in 2015, largely owing to currency effects. The rise was also due in part to wage and salary increases as well as expenses for the anniversary bonus to employees and the long-term incentive (LTI) program.

Personnel expenses (in million €)

 

 

2015

2014

Wages and salaries

 

7,943

7,380

Social security contributions and expenses for pensions and assistance

 

2,039

1,844

Thereof for pension benefits

 

658

560

Personnel expenses

 

9,982

9,224

Number of employees

The number of employees was 112,435 on December 31, 2015 and 113,292 employees on December 31, 2014.

The average number of employees was distributed over the regions as follows:

Average number of employees

 

 

2015

2014

Europe

 

70,922

71,128

Thereof Germany

 

52,987

52,726

North America

 

17,342

16,980

Asia Pacific

 

17,428

16,885

South America, Africa, Middle East

 

7,557

7,651

BASF Group

 

113,249

112,644

Thereof apprentices and trainees

 

2,942

2,884

temporary staff

 

2,574

2,596

Employees from joint operations are included in the average number of employees relative to BASF’s share in the company. On average 398 employees worked for joint operations in 2015 (2014: 376 employees).