In August 2025, base wages (excluding one-off and special payments) increased by 4.8 % yoy, after 5,4 % in July.

Negotiated wages overall fell by 1.3 % in August compared with the previous year, following an decline of 2.1 % in July. This was primarily due to the negative base effects of the elimination of large inflation compensation premiums in August 2024. In particular, the large inflation compensation premiums and very large back payments in the wholesale sector at that time are having a massive dampening effect on the y-o-y rate in August 2025.