Malta's minimum wage increase one of the lowest across Europe

Newly released Eurostat data on national minimum wages in the EU have shown that while the minimum wage in Malta is roughly midway between the highest and lowest, the change registered between 2014 and 2017 is one of the lowest in Europe, despite the country’s strong economic performance.

In ten countries, out of the 22 that have a national minimum wage, the amount amounted to less than €500 a month, while in 7 EU states, workers on the minimum take home more than €1,000 a month. Five states, of which Malta is one, have a minimum wage that lies in between €500 and €1000.

Malta’s minimum wage stands at €736 a month, with Luxembourg having the highest wage at €1999 and Bulgaria having the lowest at €236.

Furthermore, Malta is one of the seven countries registering a minimum wage that is less than 50% of the country’s median income.