Key Facts: Bahamas vs India Wages
- Bahamas Minimum Wage
- B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD)
- India Minimum Wage
- ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD)
- Bahamas Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$3,500 /mo ($3,500 USD)
- India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of The Bahamas / Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Employment. Central VDA April 2026 update verified via clc.gov.in/clc/min-wages: CPI rose 11.28 points triggering increase in centrally-regulated minimum wages (covers construction, sweeping/cleaning, watch & ward, and other Central Sphere employments). Note: Central VDA does NOT replace state minimum wages — most workers are subject to state-set rates which vary by state and update on different cycles. (2026-05-04)
Bahamas
India
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in the Bahamas is roughly 7 times lower than in India in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,500/mo in the Bahamas versus $336/mo in India, a 10.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahamas is 3.7x that of India, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Bahamas has higher GDP per capita ($41,198 vs $11,160). The Bahamas' unemployment rate is 9.2% compared to India's 4.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahamas | India |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | B$6.50 $6.50 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₹176 $1.85 |
| Minimum wage /mo | B$1,126.67 $1,126.67 | ₹4,576 $48.17 |
| Minimum wage /yr | B$13,520 $13,520 | ₹54,912 $578.08 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | B$3,500 /mo $3,500 | ₹31,900 /mo $335.82 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | B$3,150 /mo $3,150 | ₹27,500 /mo $289.50 |
| Median individual income /yr | B$24,000 /yr $24,000 | ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bahamas is higher.
Work Week
- Bahamas
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week or 8 per day. Work on public holidays or rest days is paid at 2x the regular rate. Governed by the Employment Act, 2001.
- India
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act sets 48 hours/week, 9 hours/day. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. New Labour Codes (when implemented) may standardize at 48 hours across 4-6 day weeks.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in the Bahamas earns 641% less per hour in USD terms than one in India. Standard work weeks differ: the Bahamas mandates 40 hours while India mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Bahamas are $260 vs $2,312 in India.
See this comparison from India's perspective: India vs Bahamas
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahamas or India?
In the Bahamas, the minimum wage is B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD). In India, it is ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD). India has the higher rate by 641% 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 the Bahamas may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bahamas compared to India?
The average gross salary in the Bahamas is B$3,500/mo ($3,500 USD), compared to ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD) in India. In USD terms, workers in the Bahamas earn approximately 942% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahamas and India is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Bahamas earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in India.
How do work hours compare between Bahamas and India?
India has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Bahamas. Workers in the Bahamas work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Bahamas working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Bahamas and India?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bahamas has the higher GDP per capita at $41,198, which is 3.7x that of India at $11,160. From the Bahamas' perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.