Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Earnings and wages in Japan - statistics & facts
In 2024, Japan saw the highest wage increases in over three decades. Labor unions and management negotiated an average pay raise of 5.1 percent in the annual spring wage offensive (Shunto) held between February and July each year. However, outpaced by inflation, real wages across the country still declined throughout most of 2024. Workers’ salaries had been stagnant since the burst of the economic asset price bubble in 1990 and the following lost decades, a lengthy period of economic stagnation. The past years have marked a shift in Japan’s economy, with inflation returning and consumers challenged with higher living costs. The development of salaries in 2025 is deemed crucial for the future development of Japan’s economy.
