This ranking is based on the latest Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) minimum wage data, using both national currency units (NCU) and purchasing power parity (PPP)-adjusted figures. NCU figures show each country’s statutory wage floor in local terms, worked out by applying the OECD’s standard full-time schedule of 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year = 2,080 hours.

PPP figures, converted into USD, allow fair comparisons by accounting for exchange rates and living costs. Where OECD data was unavailable, International Labour Organization (ILO) figures were used. By combining both measures, we've balanced accuracy with a clearer picture of real minimum-wage spending power worldwide. (We've converted NCU figures into both USD and GBP, but kept PPP figures in USD as conversions won't accurately reflect purchasing power).

Despite having booming economies and fair working conditions for employees, countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland don't appear on the list because they don't have a statutory minimum wage or a non-binding floor wage.

The countries with the best (and worst) minimum wage packages