Türkiye’s minimum wage debates amid global comparisons

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.

Continuation at ₺17,000 for minimum wage

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.