Minimum wage policy in Poland and the EU : a comparative legal and socio-economic analysis

Abstract

PURPOSE: The subject of minimum wage has gained renewed attention within the European Union, particularly following the adoption of Directive (EU) 2022/2041 on adequate minimum wages in the European Union. This paper examines the legal, economic, and social implications of minimum wage policies in Poland and selected EU countries. It explores the role of minimum wages as an essential instrument of socio-economic policy, focusing on their impact on labor markets, income distribution, and economic stability.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research combines comparative legal and economic analysis with empirical description using Eurostat data on national minimum wages. It includes a textual analysis of Directive (EU) 2022/2041, assessing its provisions and normative framework, and complements it with descriptive statistics on wage levels, purchasing power standards (PPS), median-wage ratios, and shares of minimum wage earners to evaluate socio-economic implications across countries.

FINDINGS: The analysis shows substantial differences in statutory minimum wages across EU countries. When adjusted for purchasing power, disparities narrow but remain notable. Minimum wages represent 43% to 66% of median gross earnings, highlighting uneven wage adequacy. Between 2015 and 2025, the highest average annual growth rates were recorded in Romania (+13.0%), Lithuania (+12.3%), Bulgaria (+11.0%), and Poland (+10.2%). The Directive emphasizes adequacy, transparency, and collective bargaining as legal principles supporting upward wage convergence while preserving national autonomy.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings assist policymakers in designing wage frameworks that promote social cohesion, reduce income inequality, and support sustainable economic growth.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: By combining a legal reading of Directive (EU) 2022/2041 with Eurostat-based descriptive evidence, this paper provides a multidimensional assessment of minimum wage policy in EU, highlighting its relevance for socio-economic policy and labor market regulation.