Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Lebanon Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Lebanon Minimum Wage
- L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Lebanon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L£27,000,000 /mo ($301.68 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 — Lebanon (2026-02-25)
Bangladesh
Lebanon
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bangladesh is roughly 57 times higher than in Lebanon 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 $302/mo in Lebanon, a 2.0:1 ratio. Bangladesh has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.8% compared to 11.0%.
Bangladesh has lower GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $12,575). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Lebanon's 11.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Lebanon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | L£161,600 $1.81 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | L£28,000,000 $312.85 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | L£336,000,000 $3,754.19 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | L£27,000,000 /mo $301.68 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | L£24,000,000 /mo $268.16 |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | L£144,000,000 /yr $1,608.94 |
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.
- Lebanon
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 150% of normal rate. Overtime on holidays at 200%. In practice, many workers work longer hours due to the economic crisis.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Lebanon to Bangladesh would see a 5645% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Lebanon's perspective: Lebanon vs Bangladesh
Compare Bangladesh with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Lebanon?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Lebanon, it is L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 5645% 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 Lebanon 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 Lebanon?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to L£27,000,000/mo ($301.68 USD) in Lebanon. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 102% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Lebanon is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Lebanon 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 Lebanon?
Both Bangladesh and Lebanon 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 Lebanon?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Lebanon has the higher GDP per capita at $12,575, which is 1.3x 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.