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Belgium’s minimum wage among highest in Europe

10:36 27/02/2015

National minimum wages in the European Union member states vary considerably from country to country, according to figures released on Thursday by the statistical office of the European Union (Eurostat).

Bulgaria’s minimum wage of €184 gross per month, for example, pales in comparison to that of Luxembourg, which is €1,923 euros gross per month. Belgium comes in second place in the ranking, with a gross monthly minimum wage of €1,502.

Out of 22 European countries surveyed, ten countries have a minimum wage of less than €500 gross per month, while in five countries this number is between €500 and €1,000 gross, and in seven countries it exceeds €1,000 gross per month. Minimum wage in the US, by comparison, is €1,035 gross per month.

At the bottom of the ranking are Bulgaria, Romania and Lithuania, while Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands take the top places.

 

photo: Eurostat

Written by Robyn Boyle

Comments

Mikek1300gt

I'm not sure surveys like this tell us very much at all, too many other factors involved to say what the minimum wage really means. Belgium, for instance taxes the hell out of even the minimum wage and if there is still anybody out there that wants to tell me about how low the cost of living in Belgium is, I'm all ears.

Feb 27, 2015 12:12
alessandra.cicuttini

With that kind of minimum wages, even if highest in Europe, you need to be two to earn enough to be able to live decently. One fulltime worker alone cannot live comfortably with that minimum wage. About 40 years ago a simple worker was able to have a house, a non-working partner and 3 or 4 children, a car and one vacation per year. Nowadays this is not possible anymore ! Why ? It's not normal ! These workers work all day, the whole year through ! What could they do more ? Why are they paid so poorly ???

Feb 27, 2015 18:32
Mikek1300gt

It might have something to do with European countries spending their children's wages, even the ones why are not born yet.

Feb 27, 2015 22:10
Mikek1300gt

Why= Who.

Feb 27, 2015 23:17