Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Ghana Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Ghana Minimum Wage
- GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Ghana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- GH₵3,500 /mo ($235.69 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), Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) / Ministry of Finance (MOFEP) / National Tripartite Committee; 2025-2026 daily rates per official gazettements (2026-05-27)
Bangladesh
Ghana
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Bangladesh is roughly 566 times higher than in Ghana in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Bangladesh at $149/mo compared to $236/mo in Ghana.
Bangladesh has higher GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $8,020). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Ghana's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Ghana |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | GH₵2.72 $0.18 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | GH₵21.77 $1.47 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | GH₵565.02 $38.05 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | GH₵6,780.24 $456.58 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | GH₵3,500 /mo $235.69 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | GH₵3,000 /mo $202.02 |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | GH₵12,000 /yr $808.08 |
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.
- Ghana
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime must be paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on rest days or public holidays at 2x.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ghana to Bangladesh would see a 56534% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bangladesh mandates 48 hours while Ghana mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bangladesh are $4,979 vs $7 in Ghana.
See this comparison from Ghana's perspective: Ghana vs Bangladesh
Compare Bangladesh with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Ghana?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Ghana, it is GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 56534% 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 Ghana 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 Ghana?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to GH₵3,500/mo ($235.69 USD) in Ghana. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 58% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Ghana is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ghana 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 Ghana?
Bangladesh has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Ghana. Workers in Bangladesh work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ghana 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 Ghana?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bangladesh has the higher GDP per capita at $9,647, which is 1.2x that of Ghana at $8,020. From Bangladesh's 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.