Greece minimum wage increases fail to raise median earnings

While the Greek government highlights a 41% nominal increase in the minimum wage since 2019, economic data suggests this growth has primarily benefited the lowest tier of the wage pyramid. An OECD report indicates that real wages in Greece experienced a decline of approximately 10% during the peak of the inflationary crisis between 2021 and 2023.

Data from Ergani shows that in 2025, the average gross monthly salary in the private sector rose by only 20 euros to 1,362.66 euros. Although the number of workers earning between 800 and 1,000 euros decreased due to minimum wage adjustments, there was a corresponding increase in the 1,001 to 1,500 euro bracket. This shift suggests workers are moving within a narrow low-income zone rather than entering higher-paying brackets. Currently, more than one in three employees still earn less than 1,000 euros gross, and six in ten do not exceed 1,200 euros.