Manufacture worker, stock photo. (source: Unsplash)
Wages in Slovakia have risen above pre-pandemic levels, yet the country still lags at the bottom of the European Union in terms of earnings. The situation is particularly dire for childless Slovaks, who, after adjusting for purchasing power parity, earn the least in Europe. Families with children fare slightly better, thanks to generous tax bonuses.
Analyst Marek Nemky of XTB attributes this to the current populist government, which, instead of supporting businesses to enable higher wages, has focused on providing direct financial support to families.
“Entrepreneurs are, unfortunately, often viewed as threats or adversaries,” Nemky told The Slovak Spectator. “This is a fundamental mistake. Entrepreneurs create value, provide employment, and share profits through wages. Rather than treating them as enemies, the government should support them, which would ultimately lead to higher wages for all Slovaks – with or without children."
