| Rank | Country | Disposable Income Per Month (£) | Average Monthly Cost of Living Per Person (£) | Monthly Minimum Wage (£) |
| 1 | France | £339.30 | £1,198.26 | £1,537.56 |
| 2 | Turkey | £308.75 | £460.03 | £768.78 |
| 3 | Poland | £174.59 | £833.65 | £1,008.24 |
| 4 | South Korea | £168.67 | £953.00 | £1,121.66 |
| 5 | Belgium | £148.05 | £1,263.48 | £1,411.53 |
| 6 | Slovenia | £142.34 | £916.31 | £1,058.65 |
| 7 | Spain | £131.84 | £1,015.03 | £1,146.87 |
| 8 | Australia | £128.98 | £1,496.80 | £1,625.78 |
| 9 | Lithuania | £87.32 | £757.08 | £844.40 |
| 10 | Hungary | £76.12 | £680.06 | £756.18 |
With a monthly disposable income of £64.50, the UK sadly just misses out on a spot in the top 10, ranking in 11th place. However, the nation’s average disposable income was found to be significantly higher than the global average of -£93.76. The UK was also recognised as having one of the greatest monthly costs of living at £1,334.43, a figure only a fraction smaller than their average monthly minimum wage (£1,398.93).
Taking the top spot, with the highest disposable income is France. French citizens on minimum wage have the highest disposable income of any nation, with an average of £339.30 a month after the cost of living is subtracted. The monthly minimum wage in France is the third highest in the world at just over £1,500 per month, meanwhile, their average cost of living is only the 12th highest.
Turkey ranks second with an average disposable income of £308.75. While the Turkish minimum wage is in the top 10 lowest of those ranked, Turks still have the second highest level of average monthly disposable income. This is because the average cost of living in Turkey is incredibly low at £460.03, which is £581.56 less than the average amount across all the nations.
In third place, with an average disposable income of £174.59 is Poland. Although this is far below the two above, Poles are still some of the best off when earning minimum wage.
The research also revealed the countries with lowest levels of disposable income per month.
The 10 countries with the lowest monthly disposable incomes
| Rank | Country | Disposable Income Per Month (£) | Average Monthly Cost of Living Per Person (£) | Monthly Minimum Wage (£) |
| 1 | United States | -£637.63 | £1,557.65 | £920.01 |
| 2 | Israel | -£624.33 | £1,481.33 | £857.00 |
| 3 | Slovakia | -£421.94 | £825.24 | £403.29 |
| 4 | Mexico | -£410.41 | £586.86 | £176.44 |
| 5 | Luxembourg | -£368.40 | £1,956.37 | £1,587.97 |
| 6 | Ireland | -£357.03 | £1,655.13 | £1,298.10 |
| 7 | Chile | -£335.06 | £750.96 | £415.90 |
| 8 | Russia | -£325.67 | £653.35 | £327.68 |
| 9 | Brazil | -£218.63 | £495.90 | £277.26 |
| 10 | Japan | -£209.16 | £1,242.60 | £1,033.44 |
At the other end of the scale is the USA, ranking 1st for the lowest monthly disposable income. Americans lose out on a massive £637.63 every month on average when they are earning minimum wage. In the US tipping is much more commonplace, and it is needed to supplement the low wages offered in the land of the free.
Israel has the second-biggest deficit when it comes to disposable income each month, workers on minimum wage only earn £857 a month in the country. This is significantly low when compared to the average cost of living per month which stands at just under £1,500.
The European nation with the biggest disparity between their minimum wage and cost of living is Slovakia, ranking third. Minimum wage workers lose out on £421.94 every month, due to cost of living rates totalling almost double the minimum wage.
You can view the full research, including the rankings for the highest costs of living and average minimum wages by clicking here.
Wanda Rich has been the Editor-in-Chief of Global Banking & Finance Review since 2011, playing a pivotal role in shaping the publication’s content and direction. Under her leadership, the magazine has expanded its global reach and established itself as a trusted source of information and analysis across various financial sectors. She is known for conducting exclusive interviews with industry leaders and oversees the Global Banking & Finance Awards, which recognize innovation and leadership in finance. In addition to Global Banking & Finance Review, Wanda also serves as editor for numerous other platforms, including Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.