G20 Countries: Minimum Wage Data from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
BS Finance - As discussions about the minimum wage continue over the cake and pastries on the table, let's take a look at the averages worldwide.
G20 Countries
Minimum wages and the proportions of minimum wage workers in G20 countries vary significantly. For example, as of 2024, the weekly minimum wage in Australia is 916 AUD (approximately 600 USD), with a proportion of 2.5% of minimum wage earners. In Canada, the hourly wage is 17.2 CAD (approximately 2,500 USD monthly), and the proportion is 4.5%. In Germany, the hourly wage is 12.41 EUR (approximately 2,700 USD monthly), with a proportion of 6.6%. In Turkey, the monthly minimum wage is 20,002 TRY (approximately 570 USD), with a proportion of 42%.
BRICS Countries
In BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), minimum wages and proportions also differ. In Brazil, the monthly minimum wage is 1,412 BRL (approximately 280 USD) and the proportion is 10%. In Russia, it is 19,242 RUB (approximately 200 USD) with a 5% proportion. In India, the daily wage is 178 INR (approximately 70 USD monthly) and the proportion is 30%. In China, the monthly wage is 2,590 CNY (approximately 360 USD), with a proportion of 15%. In South Africa, the hourly wage is 27.58 ZAR (approximately 300 USD monthly), and the proportion is 20%.
Europe
In Europe, minimum wages are generally at high levels, with the highest being in Luxembourg at 2,571 EUR (approximately 2,800 USD) monthly and a proportion of 5.1%. Other examples include Germany at 2,054 EUR (approximately 2,200 USD) with a proportion of 6.6%, France at 1,767 EUR (approximately 1,900 USD) with a proportion of 11.6%, and Spain at 1,323 EUR (approximately 1,400 USD) with a proportion of 0.8%.
Asia
In Asia, minimum wages vary greatly from country to country. In Japan, it is 1,054 JPY (approximately 1,500 USD monthly) and the proportion is 3%. In China, it is 2,590 CNY (approximately 360 USD) with a proportion of 15%, in India 178 INR (approximately 70 USD monthly) with a proportion of 30%, and in Indonesia, it is 5.07 million IDR (approximately 320 USD) with a proportion of 25%.
Africa
Minimum wages in Africa are generally lower. In South Africa, the hourly wage is 27.58 ZAR (approximately 300 USD monthly) with a proportion of 20%, in Nigeria 70,000 NGN (approximately 90 USD) with a proportion of 50%, in Kenya 15,202 KES (approximately 100 USD) with a proportion of 40%, and in Egypt 6,000 EGP (approximately 200 USD) with a proportion of 35%.
North America
In North America, minimum wages vary by state. In the U.S., the federal minimum wage is 7.25 USD per hour, but this rate is higher in some states. For example, in California, it is 15.50 USD per hour (approximately 2,700 USD monthly) with a proportion of 2.3%.
South America
Minimum wages in South America also show diversity. In Brazil, the monthly wage is 1,412 BRL (approximately 280 USD) and the proportion is 10%, in Argentina 271,571 ARS (approximately 300 USD) with a proportion of 25%, and in Chile 500,000 CLP (approximately 550 USD) with a proportion of 15%.
MENA (Middle East and North Africa)
In the MENA region, minimum wages vary from country to country. In Israel, the monthly wage is 5,880 ILS (approximately 1,600 USD) with a proportion of 5%, in Qatar 1,000 QAR (approximately 270 USD) with a proportion of 30%, and in Egypt 6,000 EGP (approximately 200 USD) with a proportion of 35%.
The comparative table below shows the ranking.
| Category | Country | Monthly Minimum Wage (USD) | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| G20 Countries | Germany | 2,700 | 1 |
| Canada | 2,500 | 2 | |
| Australia | 600 | 3 | |
| Turkey | 570 | 4 | |
| BRICS Countries | Turkey | 570 | 1 |
| China | 360 | 2 | |
| South Africa | 300 | 3 | |
| Brazil | 280 | 4 | |
| Russia | 200 | 5 | |
| India | 70 | 6 | |
| European Countries | Luxembourg | 2,800 | 1 |
| Germany | 2,200 | 2 | |
| France | 1,900 | 3 | |
| Spain | 1,400 | 4 | |
| Turkey | 570 | 5 | |
| Asian Countries | Japan | 1,500 | 1 |
| China | 360 | 2 | |
| Indonesia | 320 | 3 | |
| Turkey | 570 | 4 | |
| India | 70 | 5 | |
| African Countries | South Africa | 300 | 1 |
| Turkey | 570 | 2 | |
| Egypt | 200 | 3 | |
| Kenya | 100 | 4 | |
| Nigeria | 90 | 5 | |
| MENA Countries | Israel | 1,600 | 1 |
| Turkey | 570 | 2 | |
| Qatar | 270 | 3 | |
| Egypt | 200 | 4 | |
| North America | USA | 2,700 | 1 |
| Turkey | 570 | 2 | |
| South America | Chile | 550 | 1 |
| Turkey | 570 | 2 | |
| Argentina | 300 | 3 | |
| Brazil | 280 | 4 |
All European Countries
Now, let's take a look specifically at Europe.
| Country | Monthly Minimum Wage (USD) | Minimum Wage Worker Proportion (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg | 2,800 | 5.1 |
| Germany | 2,700 | 6.6 |
| Netherlands | 2,437 | 3.0 |
| Ireland | 2,281 | 5.0 |
| Belgium | 2,029 | 4.0 |
| France | 1,801 | 11.6 |
| Spain | 1,400 | 0.8 |
| Slovenia | 1,200 | 15.2 |
| Lithuania | 1,038 | 7.0 |
| Portugal | 1,000 | 8.0 |
| Croatia | 970 | 5.0 |
| Greece | 968 | 10.0 |
| Malta | 961 | 5.0 |
| Estonia | 886 | 6.0 |
| Hungary | 774 | 10.0 |
| Poland | 740 | 12.1 |
| Latvia | 740 | 6.0 |
| Slovakia | 700 | 5.0 |
| Romania | 600 | 13.3 |
| Turkey | 570 | 42.0 |
| Bulgaria | 550 | 14.1 |