Payroll Releases April 2026 Wage Index 'QPI'
Payroll and QUICK have released the April 2026 QPI (QUICK Payroll Wage Index) report.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 01:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 16:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 07:39 (15h 7m after Collected)
Payroll and QUICK have released the April 2026 QPI (QUICK Payroll Wage Index) report.
The results for April show the Disposable Income QPI increased by 4.42% year-on-year, significantly higher than the 3.43% in the previous month. This exceeds the Consumer Price Index (+1.5% as of March), confirming that household real take-home pay is trending positively. This significant increase in take-home pay is attributed to an increase in bonus payments and a strong base effect due to the low growth rate in the same month of the previous year.
Meanwhile, the Regular Pay QPI increased by 2.88% year-on-year, a slight reduction in the growth rate from the previous month (3.22%). However, since the reflection of base pay increases and regular raises from spring wage negotiations in salaries tends to be dispersed between April and June, continuous monitoring is necessary. Regarding trends in taxes and insurance premiums, the Income Tax QPI increased significantly by 4.19% year-on-year (compared to +0.27% in the previous month), while the Social Insurance Premium QPI trended at +2.34%, lower than the growth in regular pay and disposable income. Moving forward, there are concerns about the resurgence of inflation, such as the start of 'Child and Child-rearing Support Fund' contributions and the persistence of the weak yen and high energy prices, necessitating continued focus on the impact on real take-home pay.
April 2026 Results (Year-on-Year)
Regular Pay QPI: +2.88% (Previous month: +3.22%)
Disposable Income QPI: +4.42% (Previous month: +3.43%)
Local Tax QPI: +2.77% (Previous month: +2.26%)
Income Tax QPI: +4.19% (Previous month: +0.27%)
Social Insurance Premium QPI: +2.34% (Previous month: +2.46%)
*Figures are rounded.
*Data used for analysis is based on consented clients and is processed to ensure anonymity.
The preliminary data for May 2026 is scheduled for release on June 9, 2026, and the final data on June 12, 2026.
About Payroll
Founded on April 1, 1989. Payroll provides payroll BPO services mainly to large companies. As of the end of March 2026, it handles payroll for 1.14 million employees across 257 companies. Its general-purpose payroll service, 'HR BPaaS,' integrates cloud HR/payroll software with payroll BPO, offering high flexibility and scalability.
The results for April show the Disposable Income QPI increased by 4.42% year-on-year, significantly higher than the 3.43% in the previous month. This exceeds the Consumer Price Index (+1.5% as of March), confirming that household real take-home pay is trending positively. This significant increase in take-home pay is attributed to an increase in bonus payments and a strong base effect due to the low growth rate in the same month of the previous year.
Meanwhile, the Regular Pay QPI increased by 2.88% year-on-year, a slight reduction in the growth rate from the previous month (3.22%). However, since the reflection of base pay increases and regular raises from spring wage negotiations in salaries tends to be dispersed between April and June, continuous monitoring is necessary. Regarding trends in taxes and insurance premiums, the Income Tax QPI increased significantly by 4.19% year-on-year (compared to +0.27% in the previous month), while the Social Insurance Premium QPI trended at +2.34%, lower than the growth in regular pay and disposable income. Moving forward, there are concerns about the resurgence of inflation, such as the start of 'Child and Child-rearing Support Fund' contributions and the persistence of the weak yen and high energy prices, necessitating continued focus on the impact on real take-home pay.
April 2026 Results (Year-on-Year)
Regular Pay QPI: +2.88% (Previous month: +3.22%)
Disposable Income QPI: +4.42% (Previous month: +3.43%)
Local Tax QPI: +2.77% (Previous month: +2.26%)
Income Tax QPI: +4.19% (Previous month: +0.27%)
Social Insurance Premium QPI: +2.34% (Previous month: +2.46%)
*Figures are rounded.
*Data used for analysis is based on consented clients and is processed to ensure anonymity.
The preliminary data for May 2026 is scheduled for release on June 9, 2026, and the final data on June 12, 2026.
About Payroll
Founded on April 1, 1989. Payroll provides payroll BPO services mainly to large companies. As of the end of March 2026, it handles payroll for 1.14 million employees across 257 companies. Its general-purpose payroll service, 'HR BPaaS,' integrates cloud HR/payroll software with payroll BPO, offering high flexibility and scalability.
FAQ
How is the QPI calculated?
It is calculated using data provided by Payroll's contracted companies, ensuring individual and company anonymity.
What caused the increase in disposable income QPI?
The increase in bonuses and the base effect from the low growth rate of the previous year are the main factors.
When is the next data release?
The preliminary report for May 2026 is scheduled for June 9, and the final report for June 12.