Germans ask for more after planned hike in minimum wage

BERLIN – The German government’s planned increase in the minimum wage is not high enough for most people, according to results of a new survey published on Friday.

A total of 62% of respondents saw the increase from €12 ($13) to €12.41 on January 1, 2024 as too low, the poll commissioned by public broadcaster ZDF showed.

Based on a proposal by a dedicated government commission, the minimum wage would then rise further to €12.82 one year later.

According to the survey conducted for ZDF by the Mannheim-based Wahlen (elections) research group, 31% of 1,379 respondents said the increase was “just about right,” while 5% said it was too high.

Supporters of almost all political parties shared this criticism. Only supporters of the pro-market Free Democratic Party (FDP) were split, with 48% seeing the rise as too low and 47% deeming it just right.