Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Rwanda Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Rwanda Minimum Wage
- FRw14.08/hr ($0.01 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Rwanda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FRw73,948 /mo ($50.61 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 Public Service and Labour / ILO (2026-02-25)
Bangladesh
Rwanda
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bangladesh is roughly 10764 times higher than in Rwanda in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $149/mo in Bangladesh versus $51/mo in Rwanda, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bangladesh is 2.6x that of Rwanda, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bangladesh has higher GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $3,711). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Rwanda's 11.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Rwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | FRw14.08 $0.01 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | FRw2,440 $1.67 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | FRw73,948 /mo $50.61 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | FRw62,000 /mo $42.44 |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | FRw240,000 /yr $164.27 |
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.
- Rwanda
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 55 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours per Law No. 66/2018 Regulating Labor in Rwanda. Overtime limited to 2 hours/day and 10 hours/week (max 55 hours total). Overtime permitted for urgent, exceptional, or seasonal work. Overtime compensation varies by sector agreement. Daily working hours typically 9 hours over 5 days.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Rwanda to Bangladesh would see a 1076292% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bangladesh mandates 48 hours while Rwanda mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bangladesh are $4,979 vs $0 in Rwanda.
See this comparison from Rwanda's perspective: Rwanda vs Bangladesh
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Rwanda?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Rwanda, it is FRw14.08/hr ($0.01 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 1076292% 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 Rwanda may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bangladesh compared to Rwanda?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to FRw73,948/mo ($50.61 USD) in Rwanda. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 195% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Rwanda is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bangladesh earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Rwanda.
How do work hours compare between Bangladesh and Rwanda?
Bangladesh has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Rwanda. Workers in Bangladesh work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Rwanda working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Bangladesh and Rwanda?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bangladesh has the higher GDP per capita at $9,647, which is 2.6x that of Rwanda at $3,711. From Bangladesh's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.