The increase in the minimum wage has sparked the usual hand-wringing about Australia being a high wage country. Those demoaning the modest 3 per cent increase in the minimum wage and wage levels more generally, suggest wage rates should be lower.
Here is a look at some minimum wage levels in other countries. I for one would never want Australia to aspire for lower wages and view the high income levels in Australia as a sign of our massive prosperity and now 23 years without a recession.
Here we go – average hourly wages rates, US$.
Afghanistan US$0.57
Angola US$0.71
Argentina US$4.31
Australia US$16.88
Bangladesh US$0.09
Belgium US$11.69
Benin US$0.36
Brasil US$2.11
Canada US$9.95
China US$1.19
Estonia US$2.73
France US$12.22
Gambia US$0.12
Greece US$5.06
Haiti US$0.37
India US$0.28
Indonesia US$0.52
Japan US$8.32
South Korea US$4.63
Luxembourg US$14.24
Malawi US$0.16
Mongolia US$0.82
Niger US$0.34
Poland US$2.97
Russia US$1.04
Slovenia US$5.84
Taiwan US$3.88
UK US$10.02
US US$7.25
Vietnam US$0.30
So Australian wages are high, which is a great thing. We should hope wages here stay high as it is a sign of our economic strength and prosperity.
Source: World Bank
