Fuel costs eat up a larger share of minimum wages across Europe, Poland sees rise
Rising diesel and gasoline prices now consume a higher percentage of minimum-wage earnings in many European countries, with Poland’s share increasing noticeably.
EU fuel prices have surged dramatically since February, with diesel moving from €1.594 to €2.226 per litre and 95-octane gasoline from €1.637 to €2.092. This price escalation translates into a heavy burden for low-income workers: filling a 50-litre tank now consumes 15.4% of a minimum-wage salary in Bulgaria, up from 9.9% before the war, and similar high percentages in Latvia (13.9%), Turkey (13.8%), Romania (12.7%) and the Czech Republic and Estonia (both 11.2%).
Over 10% of minimum-wage earnings are also required for fuel in Hungary, Greece and Portugal. In Poland, the proportion remains below these figures but has risen sharply, with diesel costing about €2 per litre, compared with over €2.4 in the priciest Western European markets. The cheapest relative fuel cost is in Luxembourg (3.8% of minimum wage), followed by Ireland, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Analysts note that the spike is linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the US-Israel-Iran conflict, which have tightened global oil supplies and pushed prices higher.
Why it matters
Higher fuel costs strain low-income households, affecting living standards and inflation across Europe.
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