Key Facts: Afghanistan vs Austria Wages
- Afghanistan Minimum Wage
- ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD)
- Austria Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Afghanistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ؋30,000 /mo ($474.83 USD)
- Austria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,800 /mo ($4,425.29 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (2026-05-04), Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft) (2026-02-24)
Afghanistan
Austria
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike Austria, which has no statutory minimum wage, Afghanistan mandates a wage floor of $87/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $475/mo in Afghanistan versus $4,425/mo in Austria, a 9.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Austria is 33.6x that of Afghanistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Afghanistan has lower GDP per capita ($2,202 vs $73,911). Afghanistan's unemployment rate is 13.3% compared to Austria's 5.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Afghanistan | Austria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ؋5,500 $87.05 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ؋30,000 /mo $474.83 | €3,800 /mo $4,425.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ؋26,000 /mo $411.52 | €2,500 /mo $2,911.38 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €33,500 /yr $39,012.46 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Afghanistan is higher.
Work Week
- Afghanistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (last version under previous government) set 40 hours/week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Under Taliban administration, Thursday is sometimes also observed as a rest day. Women's employment is severely restricted under Taliban policies.
- Austria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Arbeitszeitgesetz). Daily maximum is 8 hours (normal) or 10 hours (with overtime). Since 2018, daily working time can be extended to 12 hours and weekly to 60 hours in exceptional cases with compensatory rest. Overtime is compensated at 150% or with time off in lieu (1:1.5). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
See this comparison from Austria's perspective: Austria vs Afghanistan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Afghanistan or Austria?
In Afghanistan, the minimum wage is ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD). In Austria, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Afghanistan compared to Austria?
The average gross salary in Afghanistan is ؋30,000/mo ($474.83 USD), compared to €3,800/mo ($4,425.29 USD) in Austria. In USD terms, workers in Afghanistan earn approximately 832% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Afghanistan and Austria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Austria earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Afghanistan.
How do work hours compare between Afghanistan and Austria?
Both Afghanistan and Austria mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Afghanistan and Austria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Austria has the higher GDP per capita at $73,911, which is 33.6x that of Afghanistan at $2,202. From Afghanistan's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.