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Published: 16 July 2026
Minimum wages in nominal terms: ranking of Member States (2016, 2021 and 2026)
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Minimum wages in nominal terms: ranking of Member States (2016, 2021 and 2026)
Countries are ranked from higher to lower minimum wage rates in nominal terms (in euro), in January 2016, January 2021 and January 2026 (April 2026 in the case of Estonia due to a delayed uprate). Rankings are based on monthly gross and nominal national minimum wages, adjusted for more than 12 annual payments where applicable.
Source: Network of Eurofound Correspondents and Eurofound calculations.
Identifier: VPmhx
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Article
New
16 July 2026
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.
