Ukraine and the EU: The Wage Gap Remains Deep
An analysis of salaries in Ukraine and EU countries indicates a significant gap between them. The average salary in Ukraine in September 2025 is expected to be 549 euros, which is a substantial increase compared to 434 euros in 2021. However, this amount is still significantly lower than the average wage levels in European Union countries.
Comparison of Salaries
For comparison, in Poland the average salary is 1771 euros, while the minimum wage reaches 1100 euros. The Czech Republic shows even higher figures – the average salary here is 2000 euros, and the minimum is 841 euros. In Germany, the situation is even more impressive: the average salary reaches 4483 euros, while the minimum is 2161 euros. In Romania, the average salary ranges from 1540 to 1760 euros, with a minimum wage from 727 to 816 euros.
Additionally, it is important to note that in Moldova, the minimum wage is 285 euros, and the average salary exceeds the Ukrainian average by almost one and a half times. These data highlight the significant wage gap between Ukraine and neighboring countries that are already EU members.
Tetiana Bohdan noted that this is an important step towards ensuring a decent standard of living for Ukrainians.
Experts indicate that to improve the situation in Ukraine, the averages of minimum and average wages in new EU members suggest the need to achieve a wage level of at least 1,000 euros per month.
Thus, despite positive changes in Ukraine, the wage gap between the country and the European Union remains significant, raising concerns about the socio-economic development of the state.
This data emphasizes the importance of continuing reforms in Ukraine to improve the socio-economic situation of the population. In the context of globalization and integration into European structures, Ukraine needs not only to catch up with neighboring countries but also to ensure competitiveness in the labor market. Increasing wages may become one of the key factors influencing migration processes and attracting investments to the country.