Minimum wage does not tell the whole story. You need median wage compared to cost of living. If by moving to the UK my wage goes up 80% but my cost of living goes up 100% then I'm at a 20% loss in disposable income. I have no idea what those numbers really are but people move for the prospect of a better life not simply a higher income. There are lots of Mexicans that come to the US and work for 6 months and then go back home for the rest of the year. They do this b/c the cost of living is SO much cheaper in Mexico.