3 out of 4 Companies Implemented Wage Hikes; '2% to less than 5%' Most Common at 37.6%; Top Reason is 'Securing and Retaining Talent' at Over 70% [Corporate Survey]

Gakujo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) conducted an internet survey on 'wage increases' targeting HR personnel at companies and organizations. For fiscal year 2026, three out of four companies reported that they 'implemented' wage increases. The most common raise range was '2% to less than 5%' at 37.6%, followed by 'less than 2%' at 21.7%. The top reason for implementing wage increases was 'for securing and retaining talent,' exceeding 70%. This was followed by 'to boost employee motivation' and 'to respond to rising prices.' With persistent high prices, the trend of competing for wage increases to secure and retain talent continues.

【TOPICS】

(1) Three out of four companies implemented wage increases; the most common range was '2% to less than 5%' at 37.6%, followed by 'less than 2%' at 21.7%.

(2) The top reason for implementing wage increases was 'securing and retaining talent' at over 70%.

【Background of the Survey】

Amid a prolonged seller's market due to labor shortages and persistent high prices, coupled with government calls for wage increases, attention is focused on wage hikes through regular pay raises and base-up increases. News of companies competing to raise starting salaries is also a hot topic. This survey investigated the status of wage increases for the current fiscal year and the reasons for implementation.

(1) Three out of four companies implemented wage increases; the most common range was '2% to less than 5%' at 37.6%, followed by 'less than 2%' at 21.7%.

When asked whether they implemented wage increases for fiscal year 2026 (including planned increases) and by how much, a total of 74.9% of companies responded that they 'implemented' them, accounting for three out of four companies. The most common wage increase rate was '2% to less than 5%' at 37.6%, followed by 'less than 2%' at 21.7%, '5% to less than 7%' at 11.2%, '7% to less than 10%' at 2.4%, and '10% or more' at 2.0%. Companies that 'did not implement' accounted for 25.1%.

When companies that implemented wage increases were asked for the reasons (multiple answers allowed), 'for securing and retaining talent' was the most common at 71.9%, followed by 'to boost employee motivation' at 65.6% and 'to respond to rising prices' at 64.3%.

In the previous year's survey, 'securing and retaining talent' and 'boosting motivation' were both at 68.1%, but this year, more companies cited securing and retaining talent as a reason.

Survey Overview

・Survey period: March 16, 2026 – April 10, 2026

・Survey organization: Gakujo Co., Ltd.

・Survey target: HR personnel at companies and organizations

・Valid responses: 295

・Survey method: Web-based questionnaire survey

*Values for each item are rounded to the first decimal place, so the total for single-answer questions may not equal 100.0%.

About Gakujo Co., Ltd.

A company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market and a member of Keidanren. Since 2004, it has advocated for 'year-round recruitment of people in their 20s.' It is a major job placement and career change information company that provides total support for the recruitment of people in their 20s and 30s, centered around 'Re-Shukatsu,' a job change site for people in their 20s that has been ranked No.1 for 7 consecutive years (2019-2025 Tokyo Shoko Research survey, No.1 job change site for people in their 20s) with 2.8 million members, 'Re-Shukatsu 30,' a direct recruiting service for people in their 30s, and 'Re-Shukatsu Campus,' a scouting-type job site with 600,000 members.

It also held Japan's first 'joint corporate seminar' (according to its own research) and offers a variety of services for recruiting young talent, such as 'Ten-Shuku-Haku' (job change expo) and 'Shu-Shuku-Haku' (job hunting expo).

[Established / 1976 Capital / 1.5 billion yen Affiliated Organizations / Keidanren, Japan Recruitment Information Association, Japan Personnel Introduction Business Association, Japan Job Information Publishing Council, Forest Culture Association]

https://company.gakujo.ne.jp