A living wage is the minimum amount a person needs to cover basic living costs – food, housing, healthcare, education, and other essential needs.

On the International Living Wage Day, the Institute for Social Policy “Musine Kokalari” published a detailed report highlighting that the current minimum wage in Kosovo is insufficient to ensure a dignified life for workers.

The Institute calls on local institutions to initiate discussions as soon as possible on establishing a living wage, which reflects real living costs and ensures citizens’ well-being.

According to the report, the current minimum wage of 350 euros is far from what an individual or a family needs to cover monthly living expenses, as reported by KosovaPress.

The Executive Director of the Institute, Visar Ymeri, told KosovaPress that discussions on the minimum wage have been lacking without incorporating the concept of a living wage, which is based on the actual needs of citizens.

“We have recently discussed minimum wages in Kosovo, particularly regarding law changes and related debates, but the concept of a living wage has rarely been addressed. This involves calculating a wage sufficient for a person, taking into account all expenses a person or family may have. It is the best way to determine the monthly income a family needs to live in well-being, because there is a big difference between mere survival and a life in well-being. Minimum wage is an economic term used worldwide, but recently, the concept of a living wage has been increasingly used. This includes accounting for all monthly expenses—calories, clothing, hygiene, housing costs, etc.—to ensure a life in well-being.”

He emphasizes that a living wage should guide socio-economic policies in the country. Including the concept of a living wage in public discourse would help make government decisions more sensitive and oriented toward citizens’ well-being.

“There is an extremely large gap between minimum wages in different countries—not just in Kosovo—and the wage needed to cover essential living costs. For example, in Albania, the concept of a living minimum wage is also used. This discussion has gained prominence due to global wage inequalities and the calculation of minimum wages that only cover basic needs. But we all know that covering only basic needs is not enough for a decent life. On the occasion of International Living Wage Day, September 5, our Institute seeks to bring this concept into the debate on well-being and economics in Kosovo, so that decision-making becomes more aware and broader in identifying citizens’ needs and reflecting them in the wages they earn.”

According to the 2024 report by the “Musine Kokalari” Institute, the minimum wage of 350 euros in Kosovo is far from sufficient for a dignified life.

The Program Director, Drenusha Canolli, shares the findings from the report.

“In 2024, our Institute conducted a report calculating the minimum wage in Kosovo. The findings show that the minimum wage does not provide a dignified income for workers. Knowing that the minimum wage is 350 euros, this does not cover the living costs for an individual. According to our report, a single person needs 720 euros to live decently, while a family of four needs 1,240 euros. We also found that only one in five workers earns enough to cover living expenses. Additionally, there is a significant gender pay gap—men are paid more than women, although in sectors like energy, NGOs, and some companies, wages are more equal. In the public sector, around 92% of workers earn the minimum wage, while in the private sector, it is only 70%.”

Referring to developments in 2025, Canolli warns that the situation has worsened due to rising living costs.

“By 2025, if we continue with this minimum wage, the cost of living and prices have continued to rise, further worsening the situation for minimum wages and people’s ability to live.”

Economist Mustafë Kadrijaj also points out that the current minimum wage is too low in Kosovo and recommends it should be 700–800 euros.

“The fact that citizens’ dissatisfaction is growing daily, along with a willingness to leave the country, shows that current wages do not meet necessary living conditions. The government should increase the minimum wage based on inflation. A wage of 500 euros would not meet basic requirements. From now on, a minimum wage of 700–800 euros is necessary, considering inflation, Western wage levels, and consumer basket prices. This would allow citizens to live a normal life.”

The report by the “Musine Kokalari” Institute calls on policymakers, trade unions, and civil society to open the debate on establishing a living wage in Kosovo, emphasizing that a basic but dignified life is not a luxury—it is a fundamental right.