EU Sources - Real wage recovery is slowing down - March 31, 2026

A new analysis by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that the recovery of real wages across advanced economies is slowing and remains incomplete following the recent inflation surge. Although wages are now increasing again in real terms, this follows a period in which purchasing power declined significantly. In 19 out of 37 countries analysed, real wages are still below their 2021 levels despite low unemployment. This means many workers have not yet regained their lost purchasing power. Countries such as Poland and Lithuania show stronger recovery, while most large Western European economies continue to lag behind.

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