After becoming an independent state, when Slovenia emerged from self-governing socialism, many predicted a bright future for us; some people even said that we would soon become a second Switzerland. But after a series of left-wing governments and wrong economic policies, this prediction has not come true. Even the Czech Republic and Estonia have overtaken us in the average net wage index, with Poland just behind us. At the same time, we are only at around 20 percent of the Swiss standard for wages.
According to data from Fact Protocol, the average net salary in Switzerland is 5,641 euros, in the Czech Republic 1,444 euros, in Estonia 1,355 euros, and in Slovenia 1,251 euros. If we continue like this, we will soon be overtaken by Croatia.
According to these figures, even the Czechs and Estonians have better salaries, but according to diplomat Tone Kajzer, these two countries had a much worse starting position. “When we came out of self-governing socialism, we were seen everywhere as some kind of champion; it was said that we would be a second Switzerland. In short – too much regulation, too little tolerance of individual economic freedom stifles competitiveness, and then there are consequences.”
The Czechs get more because their wages are less burdened
Looking at other data or statistics, there may be slight variations in average net and gross pay. According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, the average net salary in Slovenia is 1,434 euros, and the average gross salary is 2,210 euros. In the Czech Republic, according to their statistical office, the average net salary is 1,423 euros (which is less than 10 euros less than in Slovenia), but what is interesting is the figure for the gross salary, which is 1,780 euros. So, the Slovenian salary is significantly more heavily taxed. The Estonians have a similar situation: they have an average net salary of 1,474 euros, according to these figures, and an average gross salary of 1,780 euros.
You are poorer because of the government of Robert Golob
While the country is facing high inflation and we are witnessing a cooling of the economy, the Golob government is imposing additional tax obligations instead of relieving the burden on our wages. Slovenians earning the average wage will receive as much as 664 euros net less per year because of the Golob government’s tax burdens. Those earning twice the average wage will receive 1,020 euros net less per year. And, of course, those who earn the minimum wage will also earn less – as much as 365 euros less. This is a calculation that shows that we are living significantly worse off as a result of the Golob government’s additional payroll taxes.
Left pattern in one of the last places in the ranking
Venezuela, a model country for the ruling Left party (Levica), is ranked 99th out of 101 in the aforementioned ranking of average wages in different countries. In this poor and impoverished country, the average wage is 167 euros, and this country is a role model for many members of the Left party. A country that is in economic decline, full of death, violence and poverty, is a source of fascination for them, but it is disastrous for Slovenia that such a party is in government and is responsible for determining our fate.
We are not just falling down the scale of the average net wage index. If we compare Slovenia’s ranking in 2022, we can see that we have also regressed when it comes to measuring economic freedom. At that time, we had the highest ranking ever (32nd). Despite the pandemic the whole world was facing, Slovenia managed to maintain an average economic freedom that most other countries could not claim. This slippage is due to the government of Robert Golob, which made the wrong economic policy choices. There is simply too much regulation.
A. G.
