Minimum wage by country in 2026.

A complete reference of statutory minimum wages around the world. Gross and net monthly estimates, hourly rates, and key notes for each country.

What is a minimum wage?

A minimum wage is the lowest amount an employer can legally pay a worker per hour or per month. It exists to protect workers from exploitation and ensure a basic standard of living. Not every country has one: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Italy and Singapore rely on collective bargaining or sector-specific agreements instead.

Highest minimum wages in 2026

Among countries with a statutory minimum wage, the highest monthly gross minimum wages in 2026 are:

Countries with no minimum wage

Several countries do not have a statutory minimum wage. Instead, wages are determined through collective bargaining between unions and employers, or set by industry-level agreements:

Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Italy, Singapore, Switzerland (federal level), Iceland (collective agreements), Austria (sectoral agreements).

How to compare minimum wages

Comparing minimum wages across countries requires adjusting for purchasing power. A minimum wage of $1,257/month in the United States buys far less in New York than in rural Alabama. Similarly, Thailand minimum wage of 10,290 THB ($290) goes much further in Chiang Mai than the French SMIC of 1,802 EUR goes in Paris.

Use our Salary Calculator to see your take-home pay in any country, or browse all country pages for detailed tax and salary data.