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As discussions on minimum wage continue in Türkiye, the country's global position is increasingly under scrutiny. Compared to BRICS nations, all of which have minimum wages below $412, Türkiye stands out with a minimum wage of $515, the highest among these countries. However, in Europe, Türkiye ranks second to last with a minimum wage equivalent to 480 euros, highlighting significant disparities across different regions.
Despite ongoing debates, the government has announced there will be no "interim increase." Nevertheless, unions like DISK, TURK-IS, and HAK-IS held a joint press conference last week, demanding an immediate wage increase through a 10-point declaration.
In Türkiye, the six-month inflation rate surged to 24.73%, leading to a corresponding rise in retiree benefits. Concurrently, salaries for civil servants and retired civil servants saw a 19.31% increase.
For the past two years, the minimum wage, which has seen interim increases, currently stands at a net ₺17,000. If no interim increase occurs, this amount will remain unchanged until the end of the year. Recently, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek stated that the minimum wage in dollar terms is "not at low levels" compared to similar countries.
Minimum wage comparison
Region / Country
Minimum wage ($)
Minimum wage (€)
Remarks
Türkiye
515
480
Second lowest in Europe
BRICS Countries
Russia
218
200
Lowest among BRICS
South Africa
248
228
Indonesia
325
299
China
370
340
Brazil
412
379
Highest among BRICS
European Countries
Bulgaria
-
477
Lowest in Europe
Romania
-
663
Hungary
--
697
Lithuania
-
700
Slovakia
-
750
Highest among lowest 5 in Europe
Other Countries
Morocco
344
316
Georgia
299
275
Mexico
271
249
Azerbaijan
221
203
Ukraine
192
177
Tunisia
174
160
Egypt
136
125
When compared to neighboring countries and other developing nations, Türkiye's minimum wage appears relatively higher.
2 min read
