New OECD data places Slovakia 35th out of 38 members despite more than a decade of wage growth.
Slovakia remains near the bottom of the OECD ranking for take-home pay, despite more than a decade of wage growth. In 2025, the average worker kept 28,865 US dollars a year after taxes and social contributions, adjusted for purchasing power. Among 38 OECD members, only Mexico, Chile and Colombia recorded lower levels.
The OECD average stood at $46,787. Employees in Slovakia received about 62 percent of that figure. In Germany, average net income reached $57,634. In Poland, it rose to $40,471.
The comparison with Poland highlights how much has changed over the past 15 years. In 2010, workers in both countries earned almost the same amount after deductions, at roughly $15,000 a year. By 2025, Polish net income had moved far ahead, according to Trend.
Measured by growth rates, Slovakia appears to have performed relatively well. Since 2010, average net income has increased by 93 percent, above the OECD average of 80 percent. However, the gap looks different in absolute terms. Workers in Slovakia gained less than $14,000 in annual net income over that period, while German workers gained more than $26,000.
