Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Peru Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Peru Minimum Wage
- S/5.89/hr ($1.60 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Peru Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S/2,200 /mo ($597.83 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), Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo (MTPE); DS 006-2024-TR (1,130 PEN eff 2025-01-01); DS 003-2022-TR (1,025 PEN eff 2022-05-01) (2026-05-27)
Bangladesh
Peru
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Bangladesh is roughly 65 times higher than in Peru 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 $598/mo in Peru, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Peru is 1.8x that of Bangladesh, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bangladesh has lower GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $17,802). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Peru's 5.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Peru |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | S/5.89 $1.60 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | S/1,130 $307.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | S/15,820 $4,298.91 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | S/2,200 /mo $597.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | S/1,870 /mo $508.15 |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | S/15,600 /yr $4,239.13 |
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.
- Peru
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Constitution sets maximum at 48 hours/week, 8 hours/day (or 6 days at 8 hrs). Office workers commonly work 40-45 hrs. Overtime: first 2 hours at 125%, subsequent hours at 135%. Night shift (10pm-6am) receives a 35% surcharge.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Peru to Bangladesh would see a 6381% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Peru's perspective: Peru vs Bangladesh
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Peru?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Peru, it is S/5.89/hr ($1.60 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 6381% 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 Peru 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 Peru?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to S/2,200/mo ($597.83 USD) in Peru. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 300% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Peru is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Peru 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 Peru?
Both Bangladesh and Peru 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 Peru?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Peru has the higher GDP per capita at $17,802, which is 1.8x 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.