Minimum Wage in Ukraine in 2026: Forecast and Comparison with EU Countries
In Ukraine, the minimum wage is set to increase from 8,000 to 8,688 hryvnias in 2026. These parameters are outlined in the draft budget declaration for the upcoming year; however, a final decision regarding the amount of the “minimum wage” has not yet been made. This was reported by Yaroslav Zheleznyak, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Financial, Tax, and Customs Policy, who emphasized:
This is reported by AgroReview
“I remind you that the government must approve the budget declaration by June 1, so something may still change. But I don’t think it will be significant.”
Forecast for Minimum Wage Growth and Inflation
According to forecasts, the minimum wage will rise to 9,374 hryvnias in 2027 and to 10,059 hryvnias in 2028. At the same time, inflation is expected to be 9.7% in 2026, 7.1% in 2027, and 5.6% in 2028.
Minimum Wage in Ukraine and Worldwide
According to Eurostat, the lowest minimum wage among EU countries is recorded in Bulgaria at 551 euros, while the highest is in Luxembourg (2,638 euros). In several countries outside of Europe, minimum wages are even lower than in Ukraine.
Currently, in 30 out of 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a legally established minimum wage exists. In eight OECD countries (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland), this figure is regulated by collective agreements within sectors or professions.
On average, in OECD countries, the minimum wage is 55% of the average wage. In Ukraine, this figure currently stands at about 33%. Experts note that without a significant increase in the minimum wage, the level of poverty among workers will rise, and the shadowing of payments will intensify. Increasing the minimum wage will contribute to the growth of the average wage and the formalization of payments.
EU countries adhere to Directive 2022/2041 when determining the level of minimum wage. After gaining EU membership, Ukraine will also have to comply with the requirements of this document. As stated in the directive: “Member States should use indicative benchmark values to guide their assessment of the adequacy of the legally established minimum wage. For this purpose, they may use indicative reference values, which are usually at the international level, such as 50-60% of the average wage, and/or indicative reference values applied at the national level.”
National benchmarks may consider the ratio of the minimum wage to the poverty line and its purchasing power. If European standards (50-60% of the average wage) are applied, the minimum wage in Ukraine should be between 12,200 and 14,600 hryvnias.