In July 2025, base wages (excluding one-off and special payments) increased by 4.6 % yoy, after 6,5 % in June.

Negotiated wages overall fell by 2.1 % in July compared with the previous year, following an increase of 5.7 % in June. This was primarily due to the negative base effects of the elimination of large inflation compensation premiums in July 2024. In particular, the large inflation compensation premiums and very large back payments in the retail sector at that time are having a massive dampening effect on the y-o-y rate in July 2025.