Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Kuwait Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Kuwait Minimum Wage
- KWD0.39/hr ($1.27 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Kuwait Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KWD1,200 /mo ($3,908.79 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), Public Authority for Manpower — State of Kuwait (2026-02-24)
Bangladesh
Kuwait
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bangladesh is roughly 82 times higher than in Kuwait in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $149/mo in Bangladesh versus $3,909/mo in Kuwait, a 26.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Kuwait is 5.4x that of Bangladesh, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bangladesh has lower GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $52,444). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Kuwait's 2.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Kuwait |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | KWD0.39 $1.27 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | KWD75 $244.30 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | KWD900 $2,931.60 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | KWD1,200 /mo $3,908.79 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | KWD1,200 /mo $3,908.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | KWD9,600 /yr $31,270.36 |
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.
- Kuwait
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium is 25% of regular pay, with work on rest days or public holidays at double pay. Government sector hours are typically 35 hours/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Kuwait to Bangladesh would see a 8066% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Kuwait's perspective: Kuwait vs Bangladesh
Compare Bangladesh with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Kuwait?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Kuwait, it is KWD0.39/hr ($1.27 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 8066% 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 Kuwait 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 Kuwait?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to KWD1,200/mo ($3,908.79 USD) in Kuwait. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 2517% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Kuwait is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kuwait 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 Kuwait?
Both Bangladesh and Kuwait mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Bangladesh and Kuwait?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Kuwait has the higher GDP per capita at $52,444, which is 5.4x 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.