Global growth in real wages slowed dramatically in 2008 as a result of the economic crisis and is expected to drop even further in 2009 despite signs of a possible economic recovery, according to the ILO's 2009 Update of the Global Wage Report. The report also notes that in 2008 half of the 86 countries for which data is available– including major economies such as the U.S., Russia, Japan and Brazil - have increased minimum wages by more than inflation figures.

• The Update in English, French and Spanish
• Press Release (French, Spanish)
• Global Wage Database 09
• Note on the Global Wage Database

What have been the major trends in the level and the distribution of wages around the world since 1995? How have economic growth and globalization affected these wage trends? And what have been the roles of minimum wages and collective bargaining? These are some of the main questions addressed in this first ILO Global Wage Report.

• The report (French, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese)
• Executive Summary (French, Spanish, German and Chinese)
• Press Release (French, Spanish)
• Book cover
• Statistics