Romania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Poland recorded the highest average annual growth rates of the minimum wage in the European Union between January 2015 and January 2025, reports N1. 

These countries saw increases ranging from 14% to 10%, according to the latest Eurostat data. In contrast, the lowest average annual growth rates among EU countries were recorded in France at +2.1% and Malta at +2.9%, Euronews reports.

Within the Union, 22 out of 27 member states have a national minimum wage in place. However, minimum monthly wages vary significantly across the bloc. The only exceptions are Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland, and Sweden, which do not have a statutory minimum wage.

Minimum Wage Over €1,500

Luxembourg, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France are the six countries where the minimum wage exceeds €1,500 per month. In these nations, minimum wages ranged from €1,802 in France to €2,638 in Luxembourg.

On the other hand, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Latvia, Hungary, and Bulgaria have the lowest minimum wages, all below €1,000 per month. In these countries, minimum wages ranged from €551 in Bulgaria to €970 in Croatia.

Is Salary the Only Measure of Wealth?

The Purchasing Power Standard (PPS), which measures the cost of a specific set of goods, can provide a fairer comparison since living expenses—especially housing costs—vary greatly between European countries.

Within the EU, wage disparities shrink significantly when adjusted for differences in price levels. Eurostat categorizes EU countries into three groups: those with minimum wages above 1,500 PPS, those between 1,000 and 1,500 PPS, and those below 1,000 PPS.

Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, France, and Poland fall into the highest category (above 1,500 PPS), while Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Latvia are in the lowest category (below 1,000 PPS).

However, some countries with lower absolute minimum wages can have similar purchasing power compared to wealthier nations due to lower living costs. Poland, for example, moves into the highest category when adjusted for purchasing power, suggesting that its minimum wage holds strong buying power relative to the cost of living.