Research shows that the highest real salary increases are likely to be in Asia.
The APAC region salary growth is forecast to be significantly higher than the global average
13 out of the top 20—and eight of the top 10—predicted salary increases are in Asian nations.
Lee Quane, Regional Director, Asia, ECA International, said, “Once again, the vast majority of the highest real salary increases in the world are predicted to be seen in Asia. The average real salary increase in the APAC region is forecast to be 3.2%, significantly higher than the global average of 1.4% and nearly three times the European average of 1.1%. This is a trend that we have seen for many years now due to low inflation and rising productivity in many Asian economies, resulting in salaries growing rapidly compared to other regions.”
The emerging economies of Vietnam and Thailand both saw significant real salary increases, placing them in the global top five, with increases of 5.1% and 4.1% respectively. Similarly, the real salary increase in China is again expected to be above the regional and global average at 3.6%.
Top 10 forecasted real salary increases in 2020 – Global
| Country | 2020 global ranking | Forecast real salary increase for 2020 | 2019 real salary increase |
| India | 1 | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| Vietnam | 2 | 5.1% | 4.0% |
| Indonesia | 3 | 4.6% | 3.8% |
| Cambodia | 4 | 4.2% | 3.8% |
| Thailand | =5 | 4.1% | 3.9% |
| Ukraine | =5 | 4.1% | 1.7% |
| Philippines | 7 | 3.7% | 2.9% |
| China | =8 | 3.6% | 3.7% |
| Korea Republic | =8 | 3.6% | 4.0% |
| Bangladesh | 10 | 3.4% | 2.5% |
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
