Aranybér

Aranybér, Hungarian for "golden wage," is a term used in Hungarian political and economic discourse to describe proposals for a guaranteed minimum income or social wage. It is not a single formal policy, but a label adopted by different groups to denote a wage policy intended to secure a basic standard of living for all citizens, regardless of employment status.

The metaphor of "golden" emphasizes the aspirational or premium character of the wage. In discussions, Aranybér is typically contrasted with market wages and tied to ideas about social protection, productivity, and fiscal sustainability. Its exact design varies by proposal, with some variants calling for statutory minimum levels, indexation to inflation, or income guarantees funded by taxation or redistribution. Critics warn that such schemes may create disincentives to work, demand excessive public expenditure, or distort labor markets, while supporters argue they reduce poverty, provide economic security, and simplify welfare.

In Hungarian discourse, Aranybér appears across different political and intellectual currents and over different historical periods. It is often invoked more as a rhetorical concept than as a concrete, implemented policy.

See also: minimum wage, living wage, universal basic income, social welfare.