Minimum Wage by Country: Global Guide for 2023
Key takeaways
- The minimum wage is the lowest monetary compensation employees may legally receive for hourly work. Most countries have a government-mandated minimum wage (with a few exceptions, Italy, Norway, and Sweden.
- The minimum wage typically applies to full-time and part-time employees. Minimum wage laws do not protect independent contractors.
- If your company hires from another country, adhere to the minimum wage laws where the employee resides, not the company.
Below, we list minimum wages for 67 countries around the world. We list wages in local currency and USD based on the 2023 exchange rate to give you a sense of the local currency’s purchasing power.
Please note: This article was last updated on [12/13/2023]. The information presented may change over time, so please check back regularly for updates. We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but we cannot guarantee that this information is always complete or accurate. Users should not rely on this information without independently verifying it.
Countries with the lowest minimum wages below $500 USD per month:
Albania
Albania’s government-mandated minimum wage for employees working 174 hours/month is ~$43.133 (40,000 ALL) per month.
Argentina
The minimum wage as of December 2023 is ~$425,60 (156,000 ARS) per month. However, due to the monthly inflation that Argentina has, the minimum wage is updated monthly by a decree of the Ministry of Labor.
Bangladesh
There is no minimum wage by law in Bangladesh.
Brazil
The monthly minimum wage in Brazil is ~$264.478 (R$ 1,320).
Bulgaria
The monthly minimum wage in Bulgaria is ~$430.13 (780 BGN).
Colombia
Every January, the Colombian government establishes the minimum wage. The minimum wage per month is ~$292.78 (1,160,000 COP).
Cuba
Cuba doesn’t have a government-mandated minimum wage.
El Salvador
The minimum monthly wage in El Salvador varies between sectors:
- ~$359.16 per month for textiles and clothing
- ~$365.00 per month for industry
- ~$365.00 per month commerce and services
- ~$243.46 per month for agriculture
Georgia
The minimum monthly wage is ~$7.77 (20 GEL) per month and has not been updated in the past 30 years.
Guatemala
The minimum wage in Guatemala varies from one sector to another. Workers in the agricultural sector in economic circumscription 1 receive ~$392.24 (3,073.60 GTQ) per month, while non-agricultural workers in economic circumscription 1 earn a minimum of ~$404.08 (3,166.38 GTQ) per month.
Rates are slightly lower for workers in the economic circumscription 2:
- Agricultural sector: ~$381,78 (2,987.53 GTQ)
- Non-agricultural sector: ~$393,28 (3,077.56 GTQ)
In Guatemala, on top of the ordinary salary, all employees are entitled to an additional GTQ 250 per month, which is included in the employee’s annual salary.
Guinea Bissau
In Guinea Bissau, the minimum wage is ~$101.12 (59,000 West African Franc) per month.
Indonesia
Indonesia’s district and province authorities establish the minimum wage within each area. Employees make at least ~$0.86 (12,238.56 Indonesian Rupiah) per hour or ~$136.07 (1,958,169.60 IDR) per month. However, the minimum wage can be as high as ~$326.94 (4,901,798.40 IDR) per month in some provinces.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s minimum wage rate is ~$187.50 (85,000 KTZ) per month for all full-time employees.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan’s government-mandated minimum wage is ~$26.60 (2,337.00 Kyrgyzstani soum) per month.
Malaysia
The minimum wage for City Council or Municipal Council areas in Malaysia is ~$318,64 (1,500 Malaysian Ringgit) per month.
Morocco
The minimum wage in Morocco is ~$278.62 (2,828 Moroccan Dirham) per month.
Montenegro
As of January 2022, the minimum monthly wage in Montenegro amounts to ~$485.34 (450 Euros) for all full-time employees.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua’s national minimum wage is dependent on the employee’s industry. The national minimum wage ranges from ~$142.23 (5,196.34 NIO) per month for the agriculture industry and ~$318.29 (11,628.95 NIO) per month for construction, financial institutions, and insurance.
North Macedonia
The minimum monthly net salary in North Macedonia amounts to ~$353.19 (20.175 MKD).
Pakistan
The monthly minimum wage in Pakistan varies by province and occupation. In Punjab, the minimum monthly wage for all industries is ~$111.23 (25,000.00 Pakistani rupees).
Panama
Minimum wages in Panama range from ~$326.56 to ~$971.35 per month (326,64 to 971.35 Panamanian Balboa), depending on the specific industry, occupation, and size of the establishment. The Panamanian balboa is pegged to the USD at a fixed rate of 1:1. This means that one PAB is always worth exactly one USD.
Peru
All private sector workers in Peru are eligible for a minimum monthly wage of ~$261.61 (930 PEN).
Philippines
In the Philippines, there is no national minimum wage. Applicable minimum wage is based on the region where the employer is incorporated.
In the National Capital Region (NCR), the minimum wage is ~$236,49 (13,267.50 PHP) per month.
Russia
In Russia, there are regional variations in minimum wage rates:
- Moscow: ~$276.17 (24,801 RUB) per month
- St. Petersburg: ~$261.69 (23,500 RUB) per month
- Everywhere else in Russia: ~$180.81 (16,242 RUB) per month
Serbia
The minimum wage in Serbia is ~$2.12 (230 RSD) per hour.
South Africa
In South Africa, the national minimum wage is ~$224.33 (4022.22 ZAR) per month.
Tanzania
Tanzania’s minimum wage averaged ~$16,66 (41818.18 TZS) per month in 2023.
The Central African Republic
The Central African Republic’s government-mandated minimum wage amounts to around ~$60 (35,000 CFA francs) per month.
Turkey
Turkey’s national minimum wage is ~$392,36 (11,402.00 TRY) per month.
Ukraine
All workers in Ukraine are eligible for ~$187.50 (7100 UAH) per month.
Uzbekistan
The minimum wage in Uzbekistan is ~$84.65 (980,000.00 Uzbekistan Sum) per month.
Venezuela
Venezuela’s national minimum wage is ~$0.0005 (130.00 Venezuelan Bolivar) per month.
Provide competitive
localized pay
Countries with average minimum wages between $500 and $1,000 USD per month:
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The minimum wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina is ~$523.92 (911,43 BAM) per month.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s minimum monthly wage ranges from ~$563.47 (352.164,91 CRC) for unskilled workers to ~$1,203.55 (752.220,04 CRC) for University Graduates (Master’s degree or higher).
Croatia
The minimum wage in Croatia is around ~$787.40 (700 EUR).
Czech Republic
The monthly minimum wage in the Czech Republic is ~$759.95 (17,300 CZK) per month.
Estonia
Estonia’s government-mandated general minimum wage is around ~$890.77 (820 EUR) per month.
Greece
The minimum wage for workers in Greece is ~$877.45 (780 EUR) per month. However, the minimum wage will vary according to the seniority and civil status of the employee.
Hungary
The minimum wage for workers without a degree in Hungary is ~$697.13 (232,000 HUF) per month. Workers with a degree are entitled to a ~$890.65 (296,400 HUF) minimum wage.
Latvia
The government-mandated minimum wage in Latvia is ~$697.44 (620 EUR) per month for all workers.
Lithuania
Lithuania’s minimum wage is ~$944.92 (840 Euros) per month.
Malta
The minimum wage in Malta is around ~$998.13 (925.34 EUR) per month for full-time employees and prorated according to working hours for part-time employees.
Portugal
In Portugal, the minimum gross salary for 2023 per month for full-time employees is ~$819.74 (€760). In 2024, this will increase to ~$884,57 (€820) per month.
Romania
The National minimum wage per month in Romania is as follows:
- Full-time employees: ~$715.63 (3,300 RON)
- Full-time employees working in the food services industry: ~$715.63 (3,000 RON)
- Full-time employees working in company construction who want to apply the income tax exemption for employees: ~$867.43 (4,000 RON)
Slovakia
In Slovakia, the minimum wage is determined by worker type, starting at ~$755,15 (700 EUR) per month for 1st degree roles to ~$1.380.45 (1280 EUR) for 6th degree roles.
In 2024, this range will increase to ~$808,95 (750 EUR) per month for 1st degree and ~$1.434,52 (1330 EUR) per month for 6th degree.
Countries with the highest minimum wages above $1,000 USD per month:
Andorra
Andorra’s government sets a minimum wage twice a year. As of January 2023, the monthly minimum wage is set to ~$1,446.64 (1,286.13 EUR).
Australia
Australia’s minimum wage per hour is around ~$15.23 (23.23 AUD) but is lower for those below 21 years of age.
For occupations covered by an award or registered agreement, the minimum wage may be higher.
Training wages, junior wages, and apprentice wages may differ.
Austria
The minimum wage in Austria varies according to job category (CBA Groups I to V) and employee’s seniority.
- Group I: ~$1.942.31 (EUR 1800.00) per month
- Group II: ~$1.996.26 (EUR 1850.00) per month
- Group III: ~$2.351,47 (EUR 2179.18) per month
- Group IV: ~$2.929.18 (EUR 2714.57) per month
- Group V: ~$6.379,57 (EUR 5912.40) per month
Belgium
In Belgium, the minimum wage will depend on the sector of the company, the seniority, and the job description of the employee.
- Employees over 18 years old with at least 6 months of seniority are entitled to a minimum wage of ~$2,031.08 (1805,15 EUR) per hour.
- Employees over 20 years old with at least 12 months of seniority are entitled to ~$2,052.95 (1825,88 EUR) per hour.
Canada
Canada’s minimum wage varies by province/territory. Federally regulated employees must receive at least ~$12.18 (16.55 CAD) per hour. For the current provincial minimum wages, please reference the corresponding websites:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Yukon Territory
Denmark
There are no provisions regarding the minimum salary stipulated in the law. The minimum wage is based on the Bargaining Agreements in each sector.
Finland
There are no provisions regarding the minimum salary stipulated in the law. The wage can vary according to the collective agreement that applies to the company.
France
The statutory minimum wage in France for full-time employees is ~$1,923.61 (1,709.28 EUR) per month, but this can vary depending on company bargaining agreements.
Germany
The minimum wage in Germany is currently ~$12.94 (12.00 EUR) per hour. In 2024, this is set to increase to ~$13,39 (12.41 EUR) per hour and to ~$13,83 (12.82 EUR) per hour in 2025.
Iceland
In Iceland, the applicable minimum wage is complex. There is no national minimum wage by law. Instead, the minimum wage is determined by which Trade Union an employee is part of. Trade Unions determine minimum wage based on the age of the employee and job type.
Ireland
The minimum hourly wage in Ireland is ~$12.72 (11.30 EUR).
Japan
In Japan, the minimum wage is complex. The minimum hourly wage is set according to the region of the employee, and it can vary between ~$5.17 and ~$7.40 (714 JPY and 1023 JPY) per hour.
Luxembourg
The minimum wage in Luxembourg for unskilled workers aged 18 and older is ~$2.773.38 (2,570.93 EUR) per month and ~$3.328,06 (3,085.12 EUR) for skilled workers.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the minimum base salary (updated bi-annually) is ~$2,243.99 (1,995 EUR) a month for employees 21 years and older. Lower minimum base salaries apply to employees younger than 21 and can be found on the official government website.
New Zealand
The minimum wage in New Zealand depends on age and experience level.
- Adult (16+ years old): ~$14.28 (22.70 NZD) per hour
- Training (20+ years old with a training contract): ~$11.42 (18.16 NZD) per hour
- Early Employment (16-19 years old, less than 6 months of continuous employment): ~$11.42 (18.16 NZD) per hour
Poland
The minimum national wage for full-time employees in Poland in 2023 is ~$5.85 (23.50 PLN) per hour. From January 1, 2024, this will increase to ~$6.90 (27.70 PLN) per hour and increase again up to ~$7.00 (28.10 PLN) per hour in July 1, 2024.
The minimum wage is pro-rated for part-time employees and changes every year.
San Marino
The minimum wage in San Marino for the lowest paying industry is around ~$1.914,40 (1775.1 EUR) per month.
Slovenia
The monthly minimum wage is ~$1,353.25 (1203,36 EUR), and it's updated once a year by the Ministry of Labor.
South Korea
As of 2023, the minimum wage is ~$7.63 (9,620 WON) per hour or ~$2,636 (2,010,580 WON) per month.
Spain
The minimum wage in Spain is ~$1,313.05 (1,166.67 EUR) per month.
Switzerland
Switzerland doesn’t have a statutory minimum wage: collective agreements determine minimum compensation. The amounts range between cantons (states), with an average minimum wage of around ~$21.43 (20 Swiss Francs) per hour.
Taiwan
In 2023, Taiwan’s national minimum wage is ~$837.77 (26,400 TWD) per month. In 2024, this will increase to $871.73 (27,470 TWD) per month.
United Kingdom
The minimum wage for employees in the United Kingdom working 40 hours a week is ~$28,406 (21,673.60 GBP) a year, ~$2,367 (1,806.13 GBP) per month. An employer could pay below minimum wage only if the employee works part-time or is younger than 23.
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