Slovakia Real Wage Growth Accelerates in Q1

Real wages in Slovakia rose by 2.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, following a 1.9% increase in the previous period and extending growth to a tenth consecutive quarter. The average nominal monthly wage increased by 6.1% to EUR 1,611, up EUR 93 from a year earlier. Nominal wages increased in 18 of the 19 monitored sectors, with education posting the strongest gain of 14.5% following wage indexation measures. However, real wages declined in six sectors, with the steepest drops seen in mining and quarrying (-3.7%) and information and communication (-3.4%). In industry, real wages rose 2.2% as average monthly pay reached EUR 1,721, while trade recorded a 0.8% increase with wages averaging EUR 1,518. For the first quarter of 2026, average gross monthly wage increased by 6.0% to EUR 1,721, while its real value rose by 2.2%.

Real wages in Slovakia rose by 1.9% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, following a 1.3% increase in the previous period and extending growth to a ninth consecutive quarter. The average nominal monthly wage increased by 5.8% to EUR 1,739, up EUR 96 from a year earlier. All 19 monitored sectors recorded annual nominal wage gains, ranging from nearly 3% in public administration to over 11% in electricity, gas and steam supply. Real wages declined in three sectors, public administration (-1.2%), administrative services (-0.6%), and real estate activities (-0.4%), while most sectors posted gains above the national average. In industry, the largest employer, wages climbed 6.7% to EUR 1,884, while trade saw a 5.6% rise to EUR 1,597. Energy supply workers earned the highest wages, exceeding EUR 3,000 per month, whereas accommodation and food services remained the lowest-paid sector, with wages slightly above EUR 1,000.

Real wages in Slovakia rose by 1.3% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, easing sharply from a 4.5% increase in the second quarter. This was the second-slowest pace of growth in the past eight quarters. Real wages went up in 16 sectors, while three industries recorded declines: professional, scientific and technical activities (-2.4%), arts, entertainment and recreation (-1.4%), and administrative services (-1%). The average nominal monthly wage growth also decelerated to 5.7% at EUR 1,569, from 8.8% in the previous period. Still, all 19 monitored sectors recorded gains in average nominal wages, ranging from almost 2% in professional, scientific, and technical activities to more than 12% in the real estate sector. Wage growth also slowed in the sectors employing the largest number of people in Slovakia, namely industry and trade. For the first three quarters of 2025, the average nominal wage increased by 6.5% to EUR 1,580, while real wages rose by 2.3%.