Epress.am News from Armenia
At 1,757.56 EUR, Luxembourg has the highest national (gross) monthly minimum wage in Europe, according to a study by the Turkish Employers’ Association of Metal Industries (MESS), which surveyed monthly minimum wages in 21 EU member states, as well as Turkey and the US, comparing rates over a two-year period.
According to the MESS study, among those countries surveyed, Slovenia had the greatest growth in minimum wages between Jan. 2009 and Jan. 2011 — it grew by 26.97% and comprises 748.10 EUR. The second state with the greatest growth was Turkey — minimum wages rose by 24.18% between Jan. 2009 and Jan. 2011, comprising 384.89 EUR.
However, it’s Western European countries that have the highest national minimum wage. According to survey results, Ireland follows Luxembourg (1,461.85 EUR, 0% increase), then Belgium (1,415.24 EUR, 2% increase), followed by France (1,365 EUR, 3.33% increase). The lowest national minimum wage among EU countries surveyed was found in Bulgaria, at 123 EUR.
For comparison purposes, it’s helpful to note that minimum wage in the US was noted at being equivalent to 940.48 EUR. Between Jan. 2009 and Jan. 2011, minimum wage went up by 15.28% in the US.
Note, the national minimum wage in Armenia is 32,500 AMD, which is equivalent to 60 EUR. Prior to Jan. 2011, minimum wage in Armenia was 30,000 AMD (about 55.35 EUR).