Minimum wage debate

The level of the minimum wage is one of the most politically controversial questions in Germany.

For a higher minimum wage:

✅ A full-time minimum wage (€13.90) works out at approx. €1,720 net – in expensive cities, hardly enough for rent + living costs
✅ In Australia, Luxembourg and Ireland, the minimum wage is €12–14 – without job losses
✅ Higher wages = more consumption = a better economy

Against a higher minimum wage:

❌ Small businesses (cafés, hairdressers) struggle to pay higher wages
❌ Could lead to more automation (self-service checkouts instead of cashiers)
❌ Eastern Germany and rural regions have lower living costs

Fact check: when the minimum wage was introduced in 2015, critics predicted 900,000 job losses. In reality: employment actually ROSE. The feared negative effects largely failed to materialise.