Data item
Published: 7 July 2026

Gains in purchasing power among minimum wage earners: rate of change in gross national minimum wages, in real and nominal terms, 22 Member States, January 2025 to January 2026 (%)

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Gains in purchasing power among minimum wage earners: rate of change in gross national minimum wages, in real and nominal terms, 22 Member States, January 2025 to January 2026 (%)

-8-40481216SloveniaHungaryLithuaniaSlovakiaCyprusCzechiaGermanyBulgariaCroatiaPortugalGreeceBelgiumLatviaNetherlandsIrelandEstonia*MaltaLuxembourgFranceSpainPolandRomaniaSubstantial gainsModerate gainsSmall gainsDeclineChange Jan.2025 - Jan.2026 (%)RealNominal

Data refer to the growth rate between January 2025 and January 2026 (April 2026 in the case of Estonia due to a delayed uprate). Real values have been calculated by deflating nominal rates using monthly data from Eurostat’s Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). Countries are ranked by the magnitude of increase in real rates. Romania decided to freeze its nominal rate in January 2026, resulting in a fall in real levels, although the 7% hike adopted from July 2026 will (partially) correct the decline in purchasing power.

*2026 data refer to April 2026 in the case of Estonia due to a delayed uprate.

Source: Network of Eurofound Correspondents, Eurostat for HICP data and Eurofound calculations.

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16 July 2026

National minimum wages in the EU: policy-driven growth, continued convergence and increased proximity to negotiated wages
Over the past year, national minimum wages continued to rise substantially across the EU, especially in central and eastern European countries, continuing the narrowing of regional disparities. The EU Minimum Wage Directive has emerged as a significant driver of minimum wage hikes in many countries, exceeding inflation levels and increasing faster than collectively agreed wage floors in many low-paid sectors.
Read more about National minimum wages in the EU: policy-driven growth, continued convergence and increased proximity to negotiated wages
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