Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Qatar Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Qatar Minimum Wage
- QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 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 (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24)
Bangladesh
Qatar
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bangladesh is roughly 72 times higher than in Qatar 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 $3,221/mo in Qatar, a 21.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 13.1x that of Bangladesh, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bangladesh has lower GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $126,046). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Qatar's 0.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | QAR5.21 $1.43 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | QAR1,000 $274.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | QAR12,000 $3,296.70 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Qatar
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium: 25% of basic wage. Work between 9pm and 6am attracts a 50% premium. Government sector typically works 35-40 hours/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Qatar to Bangladesh would see a 7147% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Qatar's perspective: Qatar vs Bangladesh
Compare Bangladesh with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Qatar?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Qatar, it is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 7147% 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 Qatar 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 Qatar?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD) in Qatar. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 2056% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Qatar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Qatar 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 Qatar?
Both Bangladesh and Qatar 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 Qatar?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Qatar has the higher GDP per capita at $126,046, which is 13.1x 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.