Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Belize Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Employment / Minimum Wage Board; sectoral structure cross-referenced via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-02-25)
Bangladesh
Belize
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bangladesh is roughly 41 times higher than in Belize in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $149/mo in Bangladesh versus $900/mo in Belize, a 6.0:1 ratio. Bangladesh has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.8% compared to 8.9%.
Bangladesh has lower GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $14,347). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Belize's 8.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Belize |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | BZ$5 $2.50 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | BZ$975 $487.50 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | BZ$11,700 $5,850 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bangladesh is higher.
Work Week
- Bangladesh
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Bangladesh Labour Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 60 hours/week. Overtime paid at double the basic wage. Factories must provide one day off per week.
- Belize
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Belize to Bangladesh would see a 4049% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bangladesh mandates 48 hours while Belize mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bangladesh are $4,979 vs $113 in Belize.
See this comparison from Belize's perspective: Belize vs Bangladesh
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Belize?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Belize, it is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 4049% 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 Belize may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Bangladesh compared to Belize?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD) in Belize. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 502% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Belize is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Belize earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bangladesh.
How do work hours compare between Bangladesh and Belize?
Bangladesh has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Belize. Workers in Bangladesh work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Belize 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 Bangladesh and Belize?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Belize has the higher GDP per capita at $14,347, which is 1.5x that of Bangladesh at $9,647. From Bangladesh'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.