Key Facts: Benin vs Bangladesh Wages
- Benin Minimum Wage
- CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD)
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Benin Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Public Service / ILO (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)
Benin
Bangladesh
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Benin is roughly 193 times lower than in Bangladesh in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Benin at $215/mo compared to $149/mo in Bangladesh. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bangladesh is 2.2x that of Benin, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Benin has lower GDP per capita ($4,435 vs $9,647). Benin's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Bangladesh's 3.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Benin | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | CFA300 $0.54 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA52,000 $93.36 | ৳12,500 $103.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | CFA624,000 $1,120.29 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | CFA100,000 /mo $179.53 | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA480,000 /yr $861.76 | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Benin is higher.
Work Week
- Benin
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.12x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours for non-agricultural sectors (48 hours for agriculture). Overtime from 41-48 hours paid at 112% of normal rate; hours exceeding 48 paid at 135%. Night work and weekend overtime carry higher premiums.
- 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 Benin earns 19160% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bangladesh. Standard work weeks differ: Benin mandates 40 hours while Bangladesh mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Benin are $22 vs $4,979 in Bangladesh.
See this comparison from Bangladesh's perspective: Bangladesh vs Benin
Compare Benin with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Benin or Bangladesh?
In Benin, the minimum wage is CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD). In Bangladesh, it is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 19160% 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 Benin may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Benin compared to Bangladesh?
The average gross salary in Benin is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD) in Bangladesh. In USD terms, workers in Benin earn approximately 44% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Benin and Bangladesh is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Benin earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bangladesh.
How do work hours compare between Benin and Bangladesh?
Bangladesh has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Benin. Workers in Benin work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Benin 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 Benin and Bangladesh?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bangladesh has the higher GDP per capita at $9,647, which is 2.2x that of Benin at $4,435. From Benin'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.