Which country has the lowest minimum wage in Europe?

The second meeting of the minimum wage negotiations, which millions of employees and all companies are focused on, took place yesterday. While no figure was determined in yesterday's meeting either, all eyes have turned to the third meeting.

“When will the third meeting of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission be held?” questions are increasing, and the meeting is expected to take place next week, with the minimum wage that will be valid in 2025 expected to be announced.

HOW MUCH WILL THE MINIMUM WAGE BE?

In Turkey, the minimum wage is applied as a net 17 thousand TL in 2024. Inflation is expected to be around 45% in 2024. Inflation expectations for next year are hovering around 25%.

While worker representatives express their expectation for a wage increase close to realized inflation, employer representatives want expected inflation to be taken into careful consideration. In contrast, the weighted expectations are shaping up towards a raise of around 35%.

MINIMUM WAGE IN EUROPE

Meanwhile, the Norway-based research company Qery shared information on the minimum wages applied in Europe according to December 2024 data. According to the report compiled by Türkiye newspaper, when looking at European countries in 2024 and including Turkey in the list, the top 10 countries with the lowest minimum wage are as follows:

1-Turkey: 463 Euros

2-Bulgaria: 477 Euros

3-Hungary: 675 Euros

4-Latvia: 700 Euros

5-Romania: 743 Euros

6-Slovakia: 750 Euros

7-Czechia: 755 Euros

8-Estonia: 820 Euros

9-Croatia: 840 Euros

10-Lithuania: 924 Euros.