In April 2025, negotiated wages increased by 5.8 % y-o-y. This was due to significant permanent increases in negotiated wages (e.g., in the chemical industry, main construction, and public sector). There were hardly any negative base effects. In March, the discontinuation of the high tax-free inflation compensation bonuses, which had been paid in the same month of the previous year, significantly dampened wage growth.

Base wages (excluding one-off and special payments) were 7.1 % higher in April than in the previous year, compared to 5.9 % in March.

In the services sector, negotiated wages were increased significantly more (+6.1 % y-o-y) than in the manufacturing industry (+4.4 %).