Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Libya Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 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), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Bangladesh
Libya
Updated 2026-05-04
Bangladesh, a lower-middle-income economy, and Libya, classified as upper-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $149/mo in Bangladesh versus $370/mo in Libya, a 2.5:1 ratio. Bangladesh has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.8% compared to 18.8%.
From Bangladesh's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Bangladesh's minimum wage buys more than Libya's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Bangladesh is $418 international dollars, compared to $203 in Libya. Bangladesh has lower GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $14,304). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
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.
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Libya to Bangladesh would see a 12% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Bangladesh
Compare Bangladesh with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Libya?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 12% 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 Libya 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 Libya?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 148% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Libya is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Libya earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bangladesh.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Bangladesh or Libya?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Bangladesh can afford more than those in Libya. The PPP-adjusted rate is $418 in Bangladesh and $203 in Libya. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 106% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Libya appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Bangladesh and Libya?
Both Bangladesh and Libya 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 Libya?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Libya has the higher GDP per capita at $14,304, which is 1.5x 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.