Key Facts: Bhutan vs Cuba Wages
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Bhutan 
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Bhutan is roughly 1209 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $198/mo in Bhutan versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 12.2:1 ratio.
Bhutan's unemployment rate is 3.2% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bhutan | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /day | Nu125 $1.38 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Nu3,250 $35.75 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Nu39,000 $429.04 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
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.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Bhutan would see a 120849% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bhutan mandates 40 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bhutan are $1,430 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Bhutan
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Bhutan vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bhutan or Cuba?
In Bhutan, the minimum wage is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 120849% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bhutan compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Bhutan is Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Bhutan earn approximately 1121% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bhutan and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bhutan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Bhutan and Cuba?
Cuba has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bhutan. Workers in Bhutan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bhutan 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.