Data Analysis and Insights
Highest Ratio of Basic Food Spending to Minimum Wage
Ukraine exhibits the
highest basic food spending to minimum wage ratio at
49.3%, indicating that nearly half of the
minimum wage goes towards basic food expenditures. This significant portion underscores the financial strain on individuals earning the minimum wage in
Ukraine, highlighting the challenges in affording other necessities.
Top Five Countries with High Food Spending Ratios
The countries with the
top five highest ratios are Ukraine (
49.3%), Belarus (
40.8%), Russia (
39.0%), Moldova (
36.1%), and Albania (
32.8%). These figures reveal a pronounced economic pressure within these nations, where a substantial part of the minimum wage is allocated to basic food needs.
Lowest Food Spending Ratios in Central and Eastern Europe
Poland and Slovenia have the
lowest basic food spending to minimum wage ratios in the dataset, at
13.2% and
14.6% respectively. These percentages indicate a relatively lower financial burden in terms of basic food expenditures for minimum wage earners in these countries.
Comparison Between Neighboring Countries
Croatia and
Slovenia, despite being neighboring countries, show a noticeable difference in their ratios, with
Croatia at
16.7% and Slovenia at a lower
14.6%. This contrast underscores the variability in economic conditions and the impact of national policies on the cost of living and wage standards within the region.
Trends in Baltic States
The
Baltic States—Estonia (
16.1%), Latvia (
18.9%), and Lithuania (
16.7%) —demonstrate closely grouped ratios, suggesting a relatively uniform economic environment across these nations in terms of the relationship between minimum wage and basic food expenditures.
Variability Across Central and Eastern Europe
The data reveals a wide range of ratios across Central and Eastern Europe, from the highest in Ukraine (
49.3%) to the lowest in
Poland (
13.2%). This variability indicates diverse economic landscapes, with some countries facing more significant challenges in ensuring affordability of basic needs for minimum wage earners.