Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Kazakhstan Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Kazakhstan Minimum Wage
- ₸496/hr ($1.05 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Kazakhstan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₸380,000 /mo ($805.08 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 and Social Protection of the Population; 2024 figure of KZT 85,000/mo confirmed current per Republican Budget Law; 2025 and 2026 figures need primary source verification next session (2026-05-04)
Bangladesh
Kazakhstan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bangladesh is roughly 99 times higher than in Kazakhstan 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 $805/mo in Kazakhstan, a 5.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Kazakhstan is 4.2x that of Bangladesh, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bangladesh has lower GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $40,891). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Kazakhstan's 4.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Kazakhstan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₸496 $1.05 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₸2,833 $6.00 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | ₸85,000 $180.08 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₸1,020,000 $2,161.02 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | ₸380,000 /mo $805.08 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | ₸342,000 /mo $724.58 |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | ₸2,400,000 /yr $5,084.75 |
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.
- Kazakhstan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard working time at 40 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 2 hours/day and must be compensated at 150% of the normal rate. Reduced working hours apply to workers aged 14-18 and those in hazardous conditions. Five-day work week is standard.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Kazakhstan to Bangladesh would see a 9772% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bangladesh mandates 48 hours while Kazakhstan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bangladesh are $4,979 vs $42 in Kazakhstan.
See this comparison from Kazakhstan's perspective: Kazakhstan vs Bangladesh
Compare Bangladesh with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Kazakhstan?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Kazakhstan, it is ₸496/hr ($1.05 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 9772% 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 Kazakhstan 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 Kazakhstan?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to ₸380,000/mo ($805.08 USD) in Kazakhstan. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 439% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Kazakhstan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kazakhstan 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 Kazakhstan?
Bangladesh has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Kazakhstan. Workers in Bangladesh work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Kazakhstan 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 Kazakhstan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Kazakhstan has the higher GDP per capita at $40,891, which is 4.2x 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.