Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Iran Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Iran Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 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), Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04)
Bangladesh
Iran
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bangladesh is roughly 102 times higher than in Iran in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $149/mo in Bangladesh versus $588/mo in Iran, a 3.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iran is 2.1x that of Bangladesh, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bangladesh has lower GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $19,874). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Iran's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ﷼692,731 $1.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 |
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.
- Iran
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Iran to Bangladesh would see a 10083% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bangladesh mandates 48 hours while Iran mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bangladesh are $4,979 vs $45 in Iran.
See this comparison from Iran's perspective: Iran vs Bangladesh
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Iran?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Iran, it is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 10083% 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 Iran 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 Iran?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD) in Iran. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 294% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Iran is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iran 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 Iran?
Bangladesh has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Iran. Workers in Bangladesh work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Iran 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 Iran?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iran has the higher GDP per capita at $19,874, which is 2.1x 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.