[Working Holiday Minimum Wage Report by Country 2026] Highest is Luxembourg at ~490,000 JPY/month, 2.8x Japan; Significant Wage Growth in Europe
SchoolWith Inc. released the 'Working Holiday Minimum Wage Report 2026'. Luxembourg ranks first with a monthly income of 495,195 JPY, 2.8 times higher than Japan. European countries show remarkable wage growth, changing the landscape of popular destinations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 13:38 (6 min after Collected)
SchoolWith Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hiroki Ota), which operates Japan's largest study abroad media and agency 'SchoolWith', has released the 'Working Holiday Minimum Wage Report 2026'.
According to the survey, the highest monthly income based on minimum wage is in Luxembourg at 495,195 JPY, approximately 2.8 times Japan's national average monthly income of 179,360 JPY. Notably, wage increases since the 2024 edition were particularly significant in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the UK.
[Report Summary]
- Highest: Luxembourg at approx. 490,000 JPY/month (2.8x Japan)
- Lowest: Argentina at approx. 36,000 JPY/month (approx. 20% of Japan)
- Top Rankings: Luxembourg, Netherlands, Australia, Ireland, UK, Germany
- Notable Increases: Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, UK
- High Growth Rates: Eastern European countries like Hungary, Lithuania, Czech Republic, and Poland
- High-wage countries tend to have higher prices (Cost of Living)
- Malta, which started its Working Holiday system in 2026, was added to the survey
[Overall] Luxembourg tops with monthly income 2.8x that of Japan
In the 2026 report, Luxembourg ranked first (495,195 JPY). Luxembourg utilizes a 'wage indexation system' that automatically adjusts wages in response to inflation, contributing to its high minimum wage standards. Following Luxembourg are the Netherlands (431,067 JPY), Australia (428,879 JPY), Ireland (414,656 JPY), UK (412,902 JPY), and Germany (407,330 JPY), many exceeding twice the level of Japan.
[Growth Rates] Eastern Europe stands out
Looking at growth rates since 2024, Eastern European countries like Hungary and Poland showed significant rises. Poland's monthly income is 209,245 JPY (1.2x Japan), with a price index of 1.00, equal to Japan, making it an attractive destination where living costs are manageable.
[Price Index] The key is the balance between 'Earnings' and 'Cost of Living'
High-wage countries tend to have high prices. Luxembourg's index is 1.64 and the Netherlands' is 1.55. However, countries like Poland offer higher wages than Japan while maintaining similar living costs. Choosing a destination requires looking at both earning potential and expenses.
[Commentary] Hiroki Ota, CEO of SchoolWith
"Interest in Working Holiday is rising due to the weak Yen and increasing study abroad costs. The 2026 report shows the growing presence of high-wage European countries alongside traditional English-speaking favorites. Comparing destinations based on earnings and cost of living relative to Japan is becoming more crucial than ever."
According to the survey, the highest monthly income based on minimum wage is in Luxembourg at 495,195 JPY, approximately 2.8 times Japan's national average monthly income of 179,360 JPY. Notably, wage increases since the 2024 edition were particularly significant in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the UK.
[Report Summary]
- Highest: Luxembourg at approx. 490,000 JPY/month (2.8x Japan)
- Lowest: Argentina at approx. 36,000 JPY/month (approx. 20% of Japan)
- Top Rankings: Luxembourg, Netherlands, Australia, Ireland, UK, Germany
- Notable Increases: Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, UK
- High Growth Rates: Eastern European countries like Hungary, Lithuania, Czech Republic, and Poland
- High-wage countries tend to have higher prices (Cost of Living)
- Malta, which started its Working Holiday system in 2026, was added to the survey
[Overall] Luxembourg tops with monthly income 2.8x that of Japan
In the 2026 report, Luxembourg ranked first (495,195 JPY). Luxembourg utilizes a 'wage indexation system' that automatically adjusts wages in response to inflation, contributing to its high minimum wage standards. Following Luxembourg are the Netherlands (431,067 JPY), Australia (428,879 JPY), Ireland (414,656 JPY), UK (412,902 JPY), and Germany (407,330 JPY), many exceeding twice the level of Japan.
[Growth Rates] Eastern Europe stands out
Looking at growth rates since 2024, Eastern European countries like Hungary and Poland showed significant rises. Poland's monthly income is 209,245 JPY (1.2x Japan), with a price index of 1.00, equal to Japan, making it an attractive destination where living costs are manageable.
[Price Index] The key is the balance between 'Earnings' and 'Cost of Living'
High-wage countries tend to have high prices. Luxembourg's index is 1.64 and the Netherlands' is 1.55. However, countries like Poland offer higher wages than Japan while maintaining similar living costs. Choosing a destination requires looking at both earning potential and expenses.
[Commentary] Hiroki Ota, CEO of SchoolWith
"Interest in Working Holiday is rising due to the weak Yen and increasing study abroad costs. The 2026 report shows the growing presence of high-wage European countries alongside traditional English-speaking favorites. Comparing destinations based on earnings and cost of living relative to Japan is becoming more crucial than ever."