Key Facts: Afghanistan vs Barbados Wages
- Afghanistan Minimum Wage
- ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD)
- Barbados Minimum Wage
- Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD)
- Afghanistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ؋30,000 /mo ($474.83 USD)
- Barbados Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bds$3,900 /mo ($1,950 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector — Barbados (2026-02-25)
Afghanistan
Barbados
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Afghanistan is roughly 16 times higher than in Barbados in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $475/mo in Afghanistan versus $1,950/mo in Barbados, a 4.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Barbados is 11.3x that of Afghanistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Afghanistan has lower GDP per capita ($2,202 vs $24,823). Afghanistan's unemployment rate is 13.3% compared to Barbados' 6.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Afghanistan | Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Bds$10.71 $5.36 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ؋5,500 $87.05 | Bds$1,855.07 $927.54 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Bds$22,260.80 $11,130.40 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ؋30,000 /mo $474.83 | Bds$3,900 /mo $1,950 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ؋26,000 /mo $411.52 | Bds$3,120 /mo $1,560 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Bds$28,000 /yr $14,000 |
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.
- Barbados
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). The Shops Act allows up to 48 hours in some retail sectors. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Work on Sundays and public holidays typically paid at 2x the regular rate.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Barbados to Afghanistan would see a 1526% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Barbados's perspective: Barbados vs Afghanistan
Compare Afghanistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Afghanistan or Barbados?
In Afghanistan, the minimum wage is ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD). In Barbados, it is Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD). Afghanistan has the higher rate by 1526% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Barbados may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Afghanistan compared to Barbados?
The average gross salary in Afghanistan is ؋30,000/mo ($474.83 USD), compared to Bds$3,900/mo ($1,950 USD) in Barbados. In USD terms, workers in Afghanistan earn approximately 311% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Afghanistan and Barbados is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Barbados 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 Barbados?
Both Afghanistan and Barbados 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 Barbados?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Barbados has the higher GDP per capita at $24,823, which is 11.3x 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.