Minimum wage continues to be a controversial topic in the United States, and there are actually multiple countries with higher minimum wages compared to the United States.
States reserve the right to set their minimum wage higher than the federal requirement, but there are still states that have kept the same minimum wage since 2009, despite the cost of living going up.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25, but most Americans are asking for at least $15, and that’s even low for some jobs that are seeing more and more people leave.
America does not have the lowest minimum wage in the world, but it doesn’t even make the list for top ten highest wages.
There are 14 other countries with higher wages, and their dollar amount has been converted to equal U.S. dollars by Go Banking Rates for comparison.
United States
For the United States, the hourly minimum wage is $7.25 federally, making an average annual income $15,080.
While that is not what everyone makes, it’s the highest amount LEGALLY required to be paid to a working person in America. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee still have this as their minimum wage, and Wyoming and Georgia has an even lower minimum wage.
South Korea
South Korea’s minimum wage is equivalent to $7.27 with an equivalent annual income of $18,253.11.
South Korea has been negotiating their minimum wage and settled on an agreement of $8 per hour for 2022.
Spain
Spain’s minimum wage is equivalent to $7.28 with an equivalent annual income of $15,191.21.
Spain was one of the most supportive countries financially to its citizens during the pandemic.
The country also cares about closing the wealth gap and hopes to increase minimum wage monthly by about $295.
Israel
Israel’s minimum wage is equivalent to $8.27 with an equivalent annual income of $18,475.45.
It’s reported that in 2015 there were 700,000 workers being paid less than minimum wage. The population for Israel is 10 million.
Japan
Japan’s minimum wage is equivalent to $8.43 with an equivalent annual income of $17,551.74.
This summer Japan voted to raise the minimum wage to $8.50, the largest increase since 2002. In Tokyo it would be $9.50 per hour and in rural Japan, $7.50 per hour.
Canada
Canada’s minimum wage is equivalent to $10.18 with an equivalent annual income of $21,185.35.
Canada is the first country to be over $10 per hour, and Dec. 29 their residents will be making $15 an hour.
Germany
Germany’s minimum wage is equivalent to $10.67 with an equivalent annual income of $21,713.61.
Germany has been kind to its citizens, and has raised the minimum wage every two years at least. Germany is pushing to raise its minimum wage to over $14.
Belgium
Belgium’s minimum wage is equivalent to $10.68 with an equivalent annual income of $22,100.30.
While there is a federal minimum wage used across the country, the industries that people work for also set their own minimum wage. If the industry doesn’t have a set wage, then the federal is used.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands’ minimum wage is equivalent to $10.95 with an equivalent annual income of $24,673.73.
The Netherlands cares more about what people make per month than hourly, and working people work a set 36, 38 or 48 hours per week.
A committee meets twice a year to talk about labor laws but most wages are up to the business.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom’s minimum wage is equivalent to $11.01 with an equivalent annual income of $22,912.82.
The UK has a minimum wage and a living wage, and people need to meet certain criteria.
For minimum wage you must be “school leaving age” and for a living wage you must be 23 or older.
Ireland
Ireland’s minimum wage is equivalent to $11.51 with an equivalent annual income of $23,947.75.
Ireland also bases minimum wage on age and it goes up yearly from under 18 until 19.
France
France’s minimum wage is equivalent to $11.59 with an equivalent annual income of $21,099.84.
The minimum wage applies equally to all adults, but some may make more depending on whether they’re in a union that requires higher wages of employers.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s minimum wage is equivalent to $12.06 with an equivalent annual income of $25,088.55.
There is no minimum wage for anyone under 16 in New Zealand, but once they are of age they must be paid the required set minimum wage.
Australia
Australia’s minimum wage is equivalent to $13.53 with an equivalent annual income of $26,743.10.
Australia has the second highest minimum wage in the world, and it’s reviewed by an independent commission.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg’s minimum wage is equivalent to $13.79 with an equivalent annual income of $29,358.88.
The highest paying country in the world has a population of under one million people.
There are even higher wages for skilled workers.
Luxembourg pays their working 15-17-year-olds a higher minimum wage than America pays working adults.
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