Key Facts: Bhutan vs Ivory Coast Wages
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- Ivory Coast Minimum Wage
- CFA432.70/hr ($0.78 USD)
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- Ivory Coast Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA337,000 /mo ($605.03 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Protection Sociale — Côte d'Ivoire (2026-05-04)
Bhutan
Ivory Coast
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bhutan is roughly 46 times higher than in Ivory Coast in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $198/mo in Bhutan versus $605/mo in Ivory Coast, a 3.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bhutan is 2.1x that of Ivory Coast, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bhutan has higher GDP per capita ($16,215 vs $7,669). Bhutan's unemployment rate is 3.2% compared to Ivory Coast's 2.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bhutan | Ivory Coast |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CFA432.70 $0.78 |
| Minimum wage /day | Nu125 $1.38 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Nu3,250 $35.75 | CFA75,000 $134.65 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Nu39,000 $429.04 | CFA900,000 $1,615.80 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 | CFA337,000 /mo $605.03 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 | CFA280,000 /mo $502.69 |
| Median individual income /yr | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 | CFA960,000 /yr $1,723.52 |
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.
- Ivory Coast
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.15x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week (non-agricultural) and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 115% for the first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 150% for subsequent hours. Night work (9pm-5am) and holiday work have higher multipliers.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ivory Coast to Bhutan would see a 4502% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Ivory Coast's perspective: Ivory Coast vs Bhutan
Compare Bhutan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bhutan or Ivory Coast?
In Bhutan, the minimum wage is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). In Ivory Coast, it is CFA432.70/hr ($0.78 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 4502% 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 Ivory Coast 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 Ivory Coast?
The average gross salary in Bhutan is Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD), compared to CFA337,000/mo ($605.03 USD) in Ivory Coast. In USD terms, workers in Bhutan earn approximately 206% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bhutan and Ivory Coast is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ivory Coast 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 Ivory Coast?
Both Bhutan and Ivory Coast 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 Ivory Coast?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bhutan has the higher GDP per capita at $16,215, which is 2.1x that of Ivory Coast at $7,669. From Bhutan'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.