Statutory minimum wages

The legislation of all countries in the report makes provision for a national minimum wage. The rates of minimum wages are regularly adjusted to reflect developments in labour markets.

For a small proportion of the workforce in elementary low-skill jobs, the minimum wage has a direct impact, particularly in the services sector. It also constitutes an important benchmark for earnings expectations.

Minimum wages as of January 1st 2010 were highest in Slovenia at €597 a month. In Croatia they were second highest at €383. For the Baltic and Visegrad-4 states minimum wages were in the range of €230–310.

Bulgaria and Romania had minimum wages at about half the level of the previous group at €120–140. The minimum wage in Russia was just below €100 and in Ukraine €80.

Looking at the relative level of minimum wages the ratio of minimum to average wages is highest in Ukraine at around 46% followed by Poland, Slovenia. Slovakia and Bulgaria where minimum wages were above 40% of the previous year’s average earnings. In Russia minimum wages are lowest at 23% of average earnings, with the remainder of the countries having established minimum wages at 32–39% of average earnings.

Over the 2005–2009 period minimum wages calculated in Euro increased five-fold in Russia. In Bulgaria, Latvia and Romania they increased by over 100% and in Slovakia by 90%. Compared to 2004 minimum wages in Euro increased the least in Hungary and in Slovenia at close to 20% while in other countries they grew by 40–80%.

Minimum monthly wages in Euro, CEE countries in 2004 and 2009



Minimum monthly wages as of January 1st 2010 in percent of average gross earnings 2009