CEE: Basic Food Spending to Minimum Wage Ratio, by country
CountryBasic food spending to minimum wage ratio,
in %
UkraineUkraine49.3
BelarusBelarus40.8
RussiaRussia39.0
MoldovaMoldova36.1
AlbaniaAlbania32.8
BulgariaBulgaria29.7
North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia28.9
SerbiaSerbia24.9
RomaniaRomania24.2
Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina24.1
HungaryHungary23.9
MontenegroMontenegro22.7
SlovakiaSlovakia19.6
LatviaLatvia18.9
CzechiaCzechia18.9
LithuaniaLithuania16.7
CroatiaCroatia16.7
EstoniaEstonia16.1
SloveniaSlovenia14.6
PolandPoland13.2
  • Region: Central and Eastern Europe
  • Time period: Jan 2024
  • Published: Jan 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Apr 15, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has the highest basic food spending to minimum wage ratio?

Ukraine has the highest basic food spending to minimum wage ratio, at 49.3%.

What are the top five countries with the highest ratios?

The top five countries are Ukraine (49.3%), Belarus (40.8%), Russia (39.0%), Moldova (36.1%), and Albania (32.8%).

Which countries have the lowest basic food spending to minimum wage ratios in Central and Eastern Europe?

Poland and Slovenia have the lowest ratios in Central and Eastern Europe, at 13.2% and 14.6% respectively.

Terms and Definitions

CEE stands for Central and Eastern Europe, a term used to describe the various countries in the central and eastern part of the European continent. The specific countries included in CEE can vary depending on the context, but it generally includes nations like Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and more.

Basic food spending refers to the amount of money spent by individuals or households to purchase essential food items necessary for survival. This includes necessities like grains, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and other staple food items. It does not usually account for luxury or non-essential food products.

The minimum wage is the lowest amount of compensation that employers can legally pay their workers. The minimum wage can be set by a contractual agreement or by legislation and it usually is set on a hourly, daily or monthly basis.

Living expenses are the costs associated with maintaining a certain standard of living. This can include rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, food spending, transportation costs, and other necessary goods and services.

Purchasing power is the value of a currency expressed in terms of the amount of goods or services that one unit of money can buy. It is an important indicator in determining the economic condition of a particular region and it greatly affects the cost of living.

Cost of living is a measure of the average cost of the basic necessities of life, including food, housing, and clothing. The cost of living can greatly vary from one location to another. The higher the cost of living, the more money individuals need to cover their basic needs.
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