Key Facts: Belize vs Austria Wages
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Austria Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Austria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,800 /mo ($4,425.29 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-02-25), Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft) (2026-02-24)
Belize
Austria
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Austria, which has no statutory minimum wage, Belize mandates a wage floor of $3/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $900/mo in Belize versus $4,425/mo in Austria, a 4.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Austria is 5.2x that of Belize, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Belize has lower GDP per capita ($14,347 vs $73,911). Belize's unemployment rate is 8.9% compared to Austria's 5.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Belize | Austria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BZ$5 $2.50 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | BZ$975 $487.50 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | BZ$11,700 $5,850 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 | €3,800 /mo $4,425.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 | €2,500 /mo $2,911.38 |
| Median individual income /yr | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 | €33,500 /yr $39,012.46 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Belize is higher.
Work Week
- Belize
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
- Austria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Arbeitszeitgesetz). Daily maximum is 8 hours (normal) or 10 hours (with overtime). Since 2018, daily working time can be extended to 12 hours and weekly to 60 hours in exceptional cases with compensatory rest. Overtime is compensated at 150% or with time off in lieu (1:1.5). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Belize mandates 45 hours while Austria mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Austria's perspective: Austria vs Belize
Compare Belize with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Belize or Austria?
In Belize, the minimum wage is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). In Austria, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Belize compared to Austria?
The average gross salary in Belize is BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD), compared to €3,800/mo ($4,425.29 USD) in Austria. In USD terms, workers in Belize earn approximately 392% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Belize and Austria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Austria earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Belize.
How do work hours compare between Belize and Austria?
Belize has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Austria. Workers in Belize work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Austria 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 Belize and Austria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Austria has the higher GDP per capita at $73,911, which is 5.2x that of Belize at $14,347. From Belize'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.