The minimum gross monthly wage in Albania was 408 euros at the end of June, according to the latest data updated by the European Statistical Institute, Eurostat.
At this level, the minimum wage is not only the lowest in Europe (excluding the countries of the former Soviet Union), but also much lower than in other Western Balkan countries.
The highest minimum wage in the region is in Montenegro, at 670 euros per month. Compared to four years ago, this level has doubled.
After Montenegro, Serbia ranks second , with a minimum wage of 618 euros per month, an increase of almost 70% compared to the first half of 2021.
For the first time in several years, Eurostat has updated data for North Macedonia , reporting a level of 584 euros/month . Figures for Kosovo and Bosnia are not available. Other data indicate that the minimum wage in Kosovo was 350 euros from October 1. In Bosnia, in both federations, it ranges from 511-660 euros/month.
All three countries, Montenegro, Serbia, pay their employees a minimum wage of around 620 euros per month. In Albania, the minimum wage is around 34% lower than the average of these three countries.
In Albania, the minimum wage has not changed since the first half of 2023, after it was increased several times in 2022, to reach 40 thousand lek, which is still the same today.
In the Eurostat table, the minimum wage in Albania has fictitiously increased from 376 euros in the first 6 months of 2023 to 408 euros today due to the depreciation of the euro, when in reality purchasing power has decreased due to prices that are more expensive in the region and for food more than the European Union average.
Unlike Albania, countries in the region have continued to rapidly increase minimum wages even after 2023, with the strongest change being in Serbia, with 34% more than the first 6 months of 2023, Montenegro increasing them by 25% and North Macedonia by 20%.
In the European Union, according to Eurostat data, there are 22 countries that have minimum wages. The highest level is in Luxembourg, with 2,700 euros/month. Germany, a favorite destination for Albanians to work, ranks fourth, where the lowest gross monthly wage is 2,161 euros. The lowest minimum wage in the EU is in Bulgaria with 551 euros per month. In Turkey the level is 558 euros./Monitor
