Slovakia Real Wage Growth Fall in Q2

Real wages in Slovakia fell by 0.5% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, ending ten consecutive quarters of growth and marking the first decline since Q3 2023. The average nominal monthly wage increased by 3.2% to EUR 1,707, up EUR 53 from a year earlier, but the increase was not enough to offset inflation. Nominal wages rose in 16 of the 19 monitored sectors, led by real estate activities (9.8%), while public administration recorded the steepest decline (-4.8%). Real wages increased in 12 sectors, with the strongest gain in real estate (5.9%), while public administration posted the largest drop (-8.2%). In industry, nominal wages rose 4.9% to EUR 1,878, with real wages up 1.2%, while trade wages increased 4% to EUR 1,596, with real wages gaining 0.3%. For the first half of 2026, average nominal monthly wages increased 4.6% to EUR 1,659, while real wages rose 0.9%.

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.