Key Facts: Bangladesh vs Uzbekistan Wages
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Uzbekistan Minimum Wage
- сўм6,838/hr ($0.56 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Uzbekistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- сўм5,357,000 /mo ($439.03 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 Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan (2026-02-25)
Bangladesh
Uzbekistan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bangladesh is roughly 185 times higher than in Uzbekistan 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 $439/mo in Uzbekistan, a 2.9:1 ratio.
Bangladesh has lower GDP per capita ($9,647 vs $11,879). Bangladesh's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Uzbekistan's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bangladesh | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | сўм6,838 $0.56 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ৳12,500 $103.73 | сўм1,155,000 $94.66 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | сўм13,860,000 $1,135.88 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 | сўм5,357,000 /mo $439.03 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 | сўм4,714,000 /mo $386.33 |
| Median individual income /yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 | сўм30,000,000 /yr $2,458.61 |
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.
- Uzbekistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours. Reduced hours (36 hrs) for workers aged 16-18, hazardous conditions, and night work. Overtime limited to 4 hours per day and 120 hours per year. Overtime is compensated at double rate. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%. Holiday work at double rate.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Uzbekistan to Bangladesh would see a 18411% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bangladesh mandates 48 hours while Uzbekistan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bangladesh are $4,979 vs $22 in Uzbekistan.
See this comparison from Uzbekistan's perspective: Uzbekistan vs Bangladesh
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bangladesh or Uzbekistan?
In Bangladesh, the minimum wage is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). In Uzbekistan, it is сўм6,838/hr ($0.56 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 18411% 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 Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
The average gross salary in Bangladesh is ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD), compared to сўм5,357,000/mo ($439.03 USD) in Uzbekistan. In USD terms, workers in Bangladesh earn approximately 194% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bangladesh and Uzbekistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
Bangladesh has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Uzbekistan. Workers in Bangladesh work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Uzbekistan has the higher GDP per capita at $11,879, which is 1.2x 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.