30.09.2025 11:12
JPMorgan has projected a 20% increase in the minimum wage for 2026. However, the bank, which forecasts year-end inflation at 24.6%, pointed out that the increase will fall behind inflation. This situation will raise discussions about the purchasing power of approximately 8 million minimum wage earners.
One of the first predictions regarding the minimum wage for 2026, which millions of employees and employers are eagerly awaiting, came from the international investment bank JPMorgan.
THEY PREDICTED LAST YEAR'S INCREASE IN ADVANCE
JPMorgan, which drew attention by predicting the 30% increase in the minimum wage last year, forecasted a 20% increase for January 2026 in its new report. The bank also calculated the year-end inflation for the same period to be 24.6%. This scenario indicates that the increase in the minimum wage will lag behind inflation.
AFFECTING 8 MILLION WORKERS
If the prediction comes true, the purchasing power of approximately 8 million minimum wage earners will be a topic of discussion in 2026. While employees are concerned about the erosion of their salaries, employers have already started to calculate the rising costs.
THE BANK HAS CLOSE TIES WITH TURKEY
The main reason why JPMorgan's predictions are taken seriously in the market is the bank's close ties with Turkey. The bank, which holds regular meetings with Ankara and plays an active role in the Treasury's borrowings, has been publishing Turkey reports for a long time under the signature of Fatih Akçelik. Akçelik's analyses, who has previously worked in public institutions, are closely followed in the markets.
HOW MUCH WILL THE MINIMUM WAGE BE?
If a 20% increase is made to the minimum wage, which is set at a net of 22,104.67 TL in 2025, the net minimum wage in 2026 will be approximately 26,526 TL. However, since this increase will fall behind the 24.6% inflation forecasted by JPMorgan for the year-end, the purchasing power of millions of workers may still be a topic of discussion in the new year.