We show you an X-ray of what European workers earn on average. From 2,200 euros a month in Luxembourg to 286 euros a month in Bulgaria.
The health crisis caused by COVID-19 has put millions of jobs at stake in Europe. Brussels has echoed this worrisome employment situation and has launched an ambitious project led by the European Commission with which it is intended to raise the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI).
If this economic measure gets the green light, it would mean increasing the salary in Spain to a minimum of 1,200 euros gross per month. But until that moment arrives, find out which are the countries with the highest salaries in Europe, according to data obtained in 2019 by the European Statistical Office, better known as Eurostat.
Which country in Europe pays the best salary?
Switzerland has the highest average salary in Europe with 6,800 euros per month, very followed by Iceland with 5,844 euros per month. As if this were not enough, according to the UN, these two European countries top the ranking of countries with the best quality of life.
However, despite these large sums of money at the end of the month, it must be borne in mind that the cost of living in Switzerland is the most expensive in Europe and the third most expensive in the world. This high standard of living forces companies in cities like Geneva to pay a minimum wage of 21 euros per hour.
Norway breaks the schemes
Despite the fact that the law in Norway does not establish the minimum wage for work, Norway occupies the third position with about 5,200 euros per month. In addition, unlike the two previous countries, it stands out for its good public health system. It is also worth mentioning that the lowest wages in Norway are reviewed every year.
What is the minimum wage in Europe?
Of the 27 countries that make up the European Union, 21 have a fixed minimum wage (all except Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Italy). Luxembourg has the highest Minimum Wage and Albania, aspiring to belong to the European Union, the lowest.
Regarding this issue, 15.3% of workers do not receive a sufficient salary in the European Union, as indicated in the new study by the community statistical office, Eurostat.
The select European club of 1,500 euros a month
Around 1,5000 euros per month, there is a group of European countries made up of Germany (1,584 euros), France (1,539), Ireland (1,707), the Netherlands (1,654) and Belgium (1,594 euros). In addition, France has as a priority the forecast that the minimum wage will increase by around 1% this year.
The lowest salaries, in Eastern Europe
To find a monthly salary below 500 euros you have to travel to eastern Europe. Lithuania (555), Estonia (540) and Poland (523) do not even reach a thousand euros.
More critical is this situation in countries such as Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, which have the lowest salaries in Europe with an average of € 250 per month.
How much do you earn in Spain in 2021?
Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands or France are negotiating or have already agreed to raise their minimum wages in 2021. However, despite the promises of the Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, in Spain the minimum interprofessional wage (SMI) has fixed at € 950 per month for 14 annual payments.
In addition, Spain is in the tenth position in the ranking of low wages in Europe, according to Eurostat.
As for our neighboring countries, other Mediterranean states such as Greece (758) are at this level. In the case of Portugal, it is immersed in negotiations to change the salary from the current 635 euros per month to 665 euros.
