Which Country Has the World's Highest Minimum Wage?
Minimum wages vary significantly around the world, but comparing wage figures alone does not necessarily show how much workers can actually afford.
Switzerland leads the world in minimum wage at $3,804 per month, though it varies by region rather than being a national standard. Eight of the top ten highest minimum wages are in Europe, with Australia and New Zealand making up the remaining slots outside Europe. The United States comes in 25th place at $1,257 per month based on its federal minimum wage.
Adjusting for purchasing power shows different rankings - Poland and Spain are nearly tied at around $2,200, while Japan has the lowest at $1,839. In Latin America, Costa Rica has the highest purchasing power minimum wage at $1,093. These figures provide a clearer picture of workers' purchasing power, but do not account for taxes or benefits. Significant differences in housing costs across regions are also not considered.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
