As of 1 January 2022, 21 out of the 27 EU Member States have national minimum wages, making Denmark, Italy, Cyprus, Austria, Finland and Sweden the exceptions. Based on their levels in euro, those 21 Member States can be divided into three main groups. Monthly minimum wages below €1 000 in 13 EU countries, above €1 500 in 6 The 21 EU Member States that have national minimum wages can be divided into three main groups based on their levels in euro. In January 2022, 13 Member States, located in the east and the south of the EU, had minimum wages below €1 000 per month: Bulgaria (€332), Latvia (€500), Romania (€515), Hungary (€542), Croatia (€624), Slovakia (€646), Czechia (€652), Estonia (€654), Poland (€655), Lithuania (€730), Greece (€774), Malta (€792) and Portugal (€823). In Slovenia (€1 074) and Spain (€1 126) minimum wages ranged just over €1 000 per month, while in the remaining six Member States, minimum wages were above €1 500 per month: France (€1 603), Germany (€1 621), Belgium (€1 658), the Netherlands (€1 725), Ireland (€1 775) and Luxembourg (€2 257). For comparison, the federal minimum wage in the United States was €1 110 in January 2022. Smaller gaps in minimum wages once price level differences are eliminated Across the group of 21 Member States in analysis, the highest minimum wage was almost 7 times higher than the lowest. However, the disparities are considerably smaller once price level differences are taken into account. When expressed in purchasing power standard (PPS), minimum wages in the Member States with lower price levels become relatively higher compared with those in the Member States with higher price levels. By eliminating price differences, minimum wages ranged from 604 PPS per month in Bulgaria to 1 707 PPS in Luxembourg, meaning that the highest minimum wage was almost 3 times higher than the lowest. Based on this, it is possible to distinguish two main groups: group 1 with a national minimum wage above PPS 1 000, and group 2 with a national minimum wage below PPS 1 000. Group 1 includes Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Ireland, Slovenia, Spain, Poland and Lithuania. Their national minimum wages ranged from PPS 1 038 in Lithuania to PPS 1 707 in Luxembourg. While group 2 includes Romania, Portugal, Malta, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Czechia, Estonia, Slovakia, Latvia and Bulgaria. The national minimum wages for this group ranged from PPS 604 in Bulgaria to PPS 949 in Romania. All candidate and potential candidate countries with a national minimum wage belong to group 2, with minimum wage levels ranging from PPS 401 in Albania to PPS 888 in Montenegro. The United States (PPS 920) belong to group 2.
The first self-service mobile phone repair shop in Romania opened in the city of Iasi, aimed at promoting sustainability and the right of users to maintain their own devices in safe and efficient conditions. The initiative aims to promote the right to repair, following European Directive 2024/1799, to support the tech community and DIY repair […]
Ukrainian refugees living in Cluj County, central Romania, have restored a playground in the suburb of Florești as a sign of gratitude for the support offered by Romanians after the start of the war in Ukraine. According to representatives of the Association of Ukrainian Youth in Romania (or ATUR), this project was entirely funded and […]
The Brașov Jazz & Blues Festival returns for its 13th edition from August 14 to 17, transforming the city into a multi-stage celebration of jazz, blues, gospel, and live improvisation. This year's edition will take place in seven locations across Brașov and nearby areas, featuring live music, film screenings, jam sessions, and family-friendly activities. The […]
Affinity Life Care, the largest private network of residential centers for the elderly in Romania, announced the attraction of a growth equity investment from BlackPeak Capital, a private equity fund active in Southeastern Europe. At the moment, Affinity operates three centers in the most important areas of the Romanian capital, with a capacity of over […]
Tensions have emerged within Romania's ruling coalition following disagreements over the state funerals of former president Ion Iliescu. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) announced on Wednesday, August 6, that it would suspend participation in coalition meetings, citing what it described as "public incitement to hatred" from the Save Romania Union (USR). The dispute centers on […]
When you’re craving something out of the ordinary, Boromir’s collection of Slowly Leavened Croissants with Natural Sourdough is here to transform your snacking experience. We’ve turned your search for a unique, memorable flavor into a delightful range of croissants where every bite is a surprise. With their irresistible combination of textures and flavors, Boromir Croissants […]
