Minimum wages in Europe
August 2005 
Comparative study
Nearly three-quarters of EU Member States have some form of statutory national
minimum wage, with sectoral collective agreements playing the main role in
setting minimum pay rates in the remainder of the countries. This comparative
study (which also includes Bulgaria, Romania and Norway) examines these minimum
wage systems, looking at: current rates (both absolute and as a proportion of
average wages) and their recent development; beneficiaries; the existence of
differentiated rates (eg for young workers); adjustment mechanisms; enforcement;
the role and positions of governments and social partners; and current academic
debates on the issue.
The comparative study was compiled on the basis of individual national reports submitted by EIRO's national centres. The text of each of these national reports is available below in Word format. The reports have not been edited or approved by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The national reports were drawn up in response to a questionnaire and should be read in conjunction with it.