Key Facts: Belize vs Bangladesh Wages
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Employment / Minimum Wage Board; sectoral structure cross-referenced via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (2026-05-04)
Belize
Bangladesh
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Belize is roughly 41 times lower than in Bangladesh in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $900/mo in Belize versus $149/mo in Bangladesh, a 6.0:1 ratio. Bangladesh has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.8% compared to 8.9%.
Belize has higher GDP per capita ($14,347 vs $9,647). Belize's unemployment rate is 8.9% compared to Bangladesh's 3.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Belize | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BZ$5 $2.50 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | BZ$975 $487.50 | ৳12,500 $103.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BZ$11,700 $5,850 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 |
| Median individual income /yr | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 |
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.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Belize earns 4049% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bangladesh. Standard work weeks differ: Belize mandates 45 hours while Bangladesh mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Belize are $113 vs $4,979 in Bangladesh.
See this comparison from Bangladesh's perspective: Bangladesh vs Belize
Compare Belize with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Belize or Bangladesh?
In Belize, the minimum wage is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). In Bangladesh, it is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 4049% 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 Belize may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Belize compared to Bangladesh?
The average gross salary in Belize is BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD), compared to ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD) in Bangladesh. In USD terms, workers in Belize earn approximately 502% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Belize and Bangladesh is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Belize earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bangladesh.
How do work hours compare between Belize and Bangladesh?
Bangladesh has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Belize. Workers in Belize work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Belize 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 Bangladesh?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Belize has the higher GDP per capita at $14,347, which is 1.5x that of Bangladesh at $9,647. From Belize'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.