Key Facts: Belgium vs Venezuela Wages
- Belgium Minimum Wage
- €13.30/hr ($15.49 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Belgium Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,886 /mo ($4,525.45 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- SPF Emploi, Travail et Concertation Sociale; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-04-01) (2026-05-04), Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04)
Belgium
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Belgium is roughly 831 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,525/mo in Belgium versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 330.4:1 ratio.
Belgium's unemployment rate is 5.9% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Belgium | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €13.30 $15.49 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €2,189.81 $2,550.15 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €26,277.72 $30,601.75 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €3,886 /mo $4,525.45 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €2,450 /mo $2,853.15 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €33,000 /yr $38,430.19 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Belgium is higher.
Work Week
- Belgium
-
38 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 38 hours (Labour Act). Daily maximum is 8 hours (9 hours with flexible schedules). Overtime requires authorization and must be compensated at 150% on weekdays and 200% on Sundays/public holidays. Compensatory time off is also required. EU Working Time Directive caps average at 48 hrs/week.
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Venezuela to Belgium would see a 83037% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Belgium mandates 38 hours while Venezuela mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Belgium are $589 vs $1 in Venezuela.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs Belgium
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Belgium or Venezuela?
In Belgium, the minimum wage is €13.30/hr ($15.49 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Belgium has the higher rate by 83037% 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 Venezuela may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Belgium compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Belgium is €3,886/mo ($4,525.45 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Belgium earn approximately 32936% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Belgium and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Belgium earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Belgium and Venezuela?
Venezuela has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 38 hours in Belgium. Workers in Belgium work 38 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Belgium 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.