WIESBADEN (dpa-AFX) – According to an estimate, up to 4.8 million people in Germany could benefit from the latest increase in the statutory minimum wage. According to the Federal Statistical Office, in April 2025 almost one in eight employment relationships (around 12 percent) were below the minimum wage of 13.90 euros gross per hour, which has been in effect since January 1, 2026.
If these jobs are paid with the new minimum wage, the affected employees will see an estimated increase in their earnings of up to six percent or a total of 275 million euros, as the Wiesbaden statisticians have calculated.
It was assumed that all affected employees received at least the previously valid minimum wage of 12.82 euros. Wage increases after April 2025 were not taken into account.
Further increase from 2027
The increase, regulated by a Ministry of Labor regulation, is based on a recommendation from the Minimum Wage Commission in June. At the beginning of 2027, the minimum wage will rise further to 14.60 euros. According to estimates by the Federal Statistical Office, a maximum of seven million jobs will be affected, which would then result in a further increase in earnings of around four percent or around 315 million euros.
According to the Federal Office, women benefit more often than men from the minimum wage increase because they work more often in low-paying jobs. The hospitality industry is particularly badly affected, where it is estimated that almost half (47 percent) of all jobs will benefit from the minimum wage increase. Many employees also benefit in agriculture and forestry (37 percent)./ben/ceb/DP/jha
