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Minimum Wage by Country: Global Guide for 2022
Minimum wage is the lowest monetary compensation an employee can receive for hourly work. Most countries have a government-mandated minimum wage (with a couple major exceptions like Norway and Sweden) to ensure workers receive a fair, liveable wage.
Minimum wage typically applies to full-time and part-time employees. Independent contractors are not employees of the companies they work for so they do not receive minimum wage protections.
Below, we list minimum wages for 63 countries around the world. We list wages in local currency as well as USD based on the 2022 exchange rate to give you a sense of the local currency’s purchasing power. If your company hires from another country, adhere to the minimum wage laws where the employee resides, not the company.
Countries with the lowest minimum wages
Countries with minimum wages below $500 USD per month:
Guatemala
The minimum wage in Guatemala varies from one sector to another. Workers in the agricultural sector receive $10.65 (81.87 Guatemalan quetzales) per day, while factory workers earn a minimum of $9.75 per day.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan’s government-mandated minimum wage is $14 (970 Kyrgyzstani som) per month.
Tanzania
As of July 2013, Tanzania’s minimum wage ranges from $17 (40,000 Tanzanian shillings) to $172 (400,000 Tanzanian shillings) per month, depending on the sector.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's minimum wage rate is $67 (22,859 Kazakhstani tenge) per month for all full-time employees.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the National Minimum Wage Board determines the minimum wage for each sector every five years. The current minimum wage in the garment industry is $68 per month, $19 per month in the economic sector.
Venezuela
Venezuela's economic situation is difficult because the country faces the highest hyperinflation, devalued currency, and a black market that determines the price of the dollar. It’s hard to calculate the minimum wage but according to the unofficial data, it’s under $20 per month.
Guinea Bissau
Since 2015, every legally employed person has received a minimum wage of $30 (19,030 CFA francs) and a bag of rice per month.
Georgia
Public employees in Georgia are eligible for a minimum monthly wage of $48 (115 Georgian lari). The minimum wage for private-sector workers is $8 (20 Georgian lari) per month.
The Central African Republic
The government-mandated minimum wage amounts to around $60 (35,000 CFA francs) per month in the Central African Republic.
Every employee who works 40+ hours per week (48+ hours in agriculture) is also eligible for overtime wage determined in advance with an employer.
Uzbekistan
The minimum wage in Uzbekistan is $68.78 (747,300 Uzbekistani som) per month.
Indonesia
The district and province authorities within Indonesia establish the minimum wage within each area. Employees make at least $82 per month in the province of Central Java and $232 per month in Jakarta.
Cuba
Cuba doesn't have a government-mandated minimum wage. Potential employees determine a fair living wage directly with an employer by negotiating and collective bargaining.
The average minimum wage in Cuba comes out around $87 (2,100 Cuban pesos) per month for a 44-hour workweek, although its rate varies by occupation. The Cuban government supplements the minimum wage with free education, housing, subsidized medical care, and food.
Ukraine
All workers in Ukraine are eligible for a $113.80 (3,200 Ukrainian hryvnia) monthly minimum wage.
El Salvador
The minimum monthly wage in El Salvador varies between sectors.
- $242.40 for retail
- $237.00 for industrial labor
- $202.80 for apparel assembly
- $113.70 for agriculture
Pakistan
The monthly minimum wage in Pakistan is $150 (15,000 Pakistani rupees).
Colombia
Every January, the Colombian government establishes the minimum wage. The 2022 minimum wage amounts to $175 (689 Colombian pesos) per month.
Russia
The minimum wage in Russia is $180.45 (13,890 Russian rubles) per month for all workers.
North Macedonia
The minimum monthly wage in North Macedonia amounts to $182.3 (10,500 Macedonian denars).
Panama
The minimum wage in Panama depends on the sector and varies by region, ranging from $1.22 to $2.36 (1.22 to 2.36 Panamanian balboa) per hour.
Nicaragua
Nicaraqua's minimum monthly wage ranges from $88.53 (3,187.43 Nicaraguan córdobas) to $198.12 (7,133.44 Nicaraguan córdobas) depending on the sector.
Brazil
The monthly minimum wage in Brazil is around $200 (1,050 reais). The government sets the minimum wage annually—however, the amount varies from one Brazilian state to another.
But the minimum wage in each state mustn't be lower than the above federal minimum wage.
Learn more about employer costs for an employee in Brazil.
Albania
Albania's government-mandated minimum wage amounts to $205.42 (22,000 Albanian lekë). Considering Albania is a developing country, the minimum wage is high. However, it’s relatively low for European countries.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The minimum wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina is around $236 (406 convertible marka) per month.
Bulgaria
The monthly minimum wage in Bulgaria is $244.65 (420 Bulgarian lev).
Argentina
The minimum monthly wage for employees working up to 192 hours per month is $264 (28,104.62 Argentine pesos).
Costa Rica
Costa Rica's minimum wage ranges from $14.88 (9,598.73 Costa Rican colón) for the general workforce to $19.44 (12,537.91 Costa Rican colón) per eight-hour workday for specialized workers.
Peru
All workers in Peru are eligible for a minimum monthly wage of $294 (750 Peruvian Nuevos soles).
Serbia
The minimum wage in Serbia amounts to $1.94 (201.22 dinars) per hour or $310.95 (32,195 dinars) per month.
Romania
The minimum wage in Romania is $349.71 (1,524 Romanian lei) for a full-time employee working a 168-hour workweek.
Hungary
In Hungary, the minimum wage for general workers is $353.40 (111,000 HUF) per month, while the specialized workforce is entitled to a $410.71 (129,000 HUF) minimum wage.
Every employee over 18 who lands their first job receives 80% of a mandated minimum or $8.30 (€7.32). The amount rises in the second year to (9.35) €8.24. Employees become eligible for the full amount in the third year.
Turkey
The national minimum wage in Turkey is $372.98 (5,039.53 Turkish lira).
Latvia
The government-mandated minimum wage in Latvia is 419.87 (€370) per month for all workers.
Lithuania
Lithuania's minimum wage is $425.23 (€380) per month or $2.57 (€2.31) per hour.
Montenegro
As of January 2022, the minimum monthly wage in Montenegro amounts to around $511 (€450) for all full-time employees.
Czech Republic
The monthly minimum wage in the Czech Republic is $458 (9,900 Czech koruna).
Slovakia
Slovakia's minimum wage is $460.19 (€405) per month or $2.65 (€2.33) per hour for all employees.
Poland
All employees in Poland are eligible for $497.01 (2,000 PLN) per month.
Learn more about employer costs for an employee in Poland.
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Learn moreCountries with average minimum wages
Counties with minimum wages between $500 and $1,000 USD per month:
Estonia
The government-mandated minimum wage in Estonia is around $533 (€470) per month or $3.16 (€2.78) per hour.
Taiwan
Taiwan's minimum wage is $4.14 (NT$133) per hour or $654 (NT$21,009) per month.
Croatia
The minimum wage in Croatia is around $700 (4,648.42 Croatian kuna).
Malta
The minimum wage in Malta is $190 (€168.01) per week, and it's combined with an annual mandatory bonus of $306.56 and the annual cost of living increase ($274).
Greece
The minimum wage in Greece is $762 (€683.76) per month for 12 payments or $653 (€586) per month for 14 payments.
Portugal
A monthly minimum wage for all employees in Portugal is $701.79 (€618.33) per month for 12 payments, or $601.53 (€530) for 14 payments.
Greece
The minimum wage in Greece is $776 (€683.76) per month in 12 payments, $665 (€586) per month for 14 payments, or $4.80 (€4.23) per hour.
South Korea
The minimum wage in South Korea is $5.40 (6,470 South Korean won) per hour.
Spain
The minimum wage in Spain is $867.62 (€764.40) per month for 12 payments and $743.67 (€655.20) per month for 14payments.
Slovenia
The entire workforce in Slovenia receives $897.48 (€790.73) monthly minimum wage.
Countries with the highest minimum wages
Countries with minimum wages above $1,000 USD per month:
Andora
Andorra's government sets a minimum wage twice a year. As of early 2022, it amounts to $1,107.32 (€975.87).
Ireland
In Ireland, the minimum wage is $10.38 (€9.15) per hour for workers ages 18 and older. Those under 18 are entitled to $7.27 (€6.41).
Learn more about employer costs for an employee in Ireland.
Germany
The minimum wage in Germany amounts to $1,466 per month or $9.47 (€8.50) per hour. However, a higher minimum wage for employers is often set by collective bargaining and enforceable by law.
Belgium
The minimum wage in Belgium is $1,480 per month. However, its rate varies by employee age.
United Kingdom
The hourly minimum wage in the UK:
- $9.75 (£7.20) for ages 25 and over
- $9.41 (£6.95) for ages 21-24
- $ 7.52 (£5.55) for ages 18-20
- $ 5.42 (£4.00) for ages under 18
New Zealand
Workers aged 18 and older are eligible for a minimum wage of $10.19 (NZ$15.25) per hour. Those ages 16, 17, or in training are only eligible for $8.17 (NZ$12.20) per hour.
France
France's government-mandated minimum wage is $1.664 (€1,466.62 per month or €9.67 per hour)
Canada
Canada's minimum wage is $1,696, although its rate may vary by location because every province and territory sets its own minimum wage.
Netherlands
The national minimum wage is $1,730.47 (€1,524.60) per month, $399.36 (€351.85) per week, $79.87 (€70.37) per day, and $9.99 (€8.80) per hour. These amounts apply to employees 23 and older working a 40-hour workweek.
The minimum wage for employees ages 15-22 is between 30-85% of the 23+ minimum wage. Also, the minimum wage is higher for companies with a shorter workweek.
San Marino
The minimum wage in San Marino is $11.07 (€9.74) per hour for all workers.
Australia
Australia's minimum wage for employees ages 21 and older is 2,136 USD. The Fair Work Australia Commission sets it. Also, the minimum wage for the workforce under 16 years old is 36.8% of the 21+ minimum wage.
Most employees in Australia receive additional monetary awards, which may vary by industry, location, and employee.
Luxembourg
The minimum wage in Luxembourg for general employees aged 18 and older is $2,142.90 (€1.888,29) per month. Specialized workers get 20% more, while workers under 18 receive about 20% lower minimum wage than the general workforce.
Denmark
The average minimum wage in Denmark is $18 (DKK110) per hour, although employer associations and employee unions determine the amount through bargaining.
Learn more about employer costs for an employee in Denmark.
Japan
Japan's prefectural (or regional) minimum wage ranges from $6.18 (¥714) to $8.07 (¥932) per hour for all employees. However, the industrial minimum wage rate may vary between industries, and it's usually set higher than the prefectural minimum.
Also, workers get paid extra for working overtime, during holidays, and at night. Employers must also cover employee commuting costs.
Switzerland
Switzerland doesn't have a statutory minimum wage: collective bargaining agreements determine minimum compensation.
The amounts range from $2,391.31 to $4,564.18 (2,200 to 4,200 francs) per month for the general workforce and from $3,042 to $5,759 (2,800 to 5,300 francs) per month for specialized workers.
Learn more about employer costs for an employee in Switzerland.
Finland
Finland has no government-mandated minimum wage so employers must pay minimum wage determined with collective bargaining).
Iceland
Iceland has no government-mandated minimum wage: employees and employers agree on a minimum wage through collective bargaining. These agreements can vary depending on sector and occupation.
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