Key Facts: Bhutan vs Bahamas Wages
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- Bahamas Minimum Wage
- B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD)
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- Bahamas Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$3,500 /mo ($3,500 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25), Government of The Bahamas / Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Bhutan
Bahamas
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Bhutan is roughly 6 times higher than in the Bahamas in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $198/mo in Bhutan versus $3,500/mo in the Bahamas, a 17.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahamas is 2.5x that of Bhutan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bhutan has lower GDP per capita ($16,215 vs $41,198). Bhutan's unemployment rate is 3.2% compared to the Bahamas' 9.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bhutan | Bahamas |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | B$6.50 $6.50 |
| Minimum wage /day | Nu125 $1.38 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Nu3,250 $35.75 | B$1,126.67 $1,126.67 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Nu39,000 $429.04 | B$13,520 $13,520 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 | B$3,500 /mo $3,500 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 | B$3,150 /mo $3,150 |
| Median individual income /yr | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 | B$24,000 /yr $24,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bhutan is higher.
Work Week
- Bhutan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Bhutan Labour and Employment Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard workweek (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. The public sector follows a 5-day, 8-hour schedule.
- Bahamas
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week or 8 per day. Work on public holidays or rest days is paid at 2x the regular rate. Governed by the Employment Act, 2001.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from the Bahamas to Bhutan would see a 450% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Bahamas's perspective: Bahamas vs Bhutan
Compare Bhutan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bhutan or Bahamas?
In Bhutan, the minimum wage is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). In the Bahamas, it is B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 450% 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 the Bahamas may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Bhutan compared to Bahamas?
The average gross salary in Bhutan is Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD), compared to B$3,500/mo ($3,500 USD) in the Bahamas. In USD terms, workers in Bhutan earn approximately 1668% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bhutan and Bahamas is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Bahamas earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bhutan.
How do work hours compare between Bhutan and Bahamas?
Both Bhutan and Bahamas 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 Bhutan and Bahamas?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bahamas has the higher GDP per capita at $41,198, which is 2.5x that of Bhutan at $16,215. From Bhutan'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.