Key Facts: Barbados vs Greece Wages
- Barbados Minimum Wage
- Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD)
- Greece Minimum Wage
- €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD)
- Barbados Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bds$3,900 /mo ($1,950 USD)
- Greece Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,400 /mo ($1,630.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector — Barbados (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-04-01) (2026-05-04)
Barbados
Greece
Updated 2026-05-04
Both high-income economies, Barbados and Greece set comparable minimum wage floors in USD terms. Average salaries are higher in Barbados at $1,950/mo compared to $1,630/mo in Greece. GDP per capita (PPP) in Greece is 1.8x that of Barbados, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Barbados' perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Barbados' minimum wage buys less than Greece's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Barbados is $5 international dollars, compared to $10 in Greece. Barbados has lower GDP per capita ($24,823 vs $44,327). Barbados' unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Greece's 8.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Barbados | Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bds$10.71 $5.36 | €5.31 $6.18 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bds$1,855.07 $927.54 | €920 $1,071.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Bds$22,260.80 $11,130.40 | €12,880 $14,999.42 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bds$3,900 /mo $1,950 | €1,400 /mo $1,630.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Bds$3,120 /mo $1,560 | €1,100 /mo $1,281.01 |
| Median individual income /yr | Bds$28,000 /yr $14,000 | €12,800 /yr $14,906.25 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Barbados is higher.
Work Week
- Barbados
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). The Shops Act allows up to 48 hours in some retail sectors. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Work on Sundays and public holidays typically paid at 2x the regular rate.
- Greece
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours across 5 days (Labour Law). Overtime beyond 40 hours is compensated at 120% for the first 5 hours per week and 140% thereafter. In 2024, Greece introduced optional 6-day workweek legislation for certain industries, with the 6th day paid at 140%. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Barbados earns 15% less per hour in USD terms than one in Greece.
See this comparison from Greece's perspective: Greece vs Barbados
Compare Barbados with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Barbados or Greece?
In Barbados, the minimum wage is Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD). In Greece, it is €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD). Greece has the higher rate by 15% 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 Barbados may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Barbados compared to Greece?
The average gross salary in Barbados is Bds$3,900/mo ($1,950 USD), compared to €1,400/mo ($1,630.37 USD) in Greece. In USD terms, workers in Barbados earn approximately 20% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Barbados and Greece is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Barbados earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Greece.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Barbados or Greece?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Greece can afford more than those in Barbados. The PPP-adjusted rate is $5 in Barbados and $10 in Greece. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 104% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Barbados appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Barbados and Greece?
Both Barbados and Greece mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Barbados and Greece?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Greece has the higher GDP per capita at $44,327, which is 1.8x that of Barbados at $24,823. From Barbados' 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.