Key Facts: Bhutan vs Morocco Wages
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministère de l'Inclusion Économique, de la Petite Entreprise, de l'Emploi et des Compétences (miepeec.gov.ma); 2026 SMIG/SMAG figures verified (second stage of two-stage 10% increase agreed in April 2024 social dialogue) (2026-05-04)
Bhutan
Morocco
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bhutan is roughly 20 times higher than in Morocco 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 $613/mo in Morocco, a 3.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bhutan is 1.6x that of Morocco, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bhutan has higher GDP per capita ($16,215 vs $10,415). Bhutan's unemployment rate is 3.2% compared to Morocco's 9.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bhutan | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | MAD17.92 $1.83 |
| Minimum wage /day | Nu125 $1.38 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Nu3,250 $35.75 | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Nu39,000 $429.04 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 |
| Median individual income /yr | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 |
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.
- Morocco
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 44 hours/week for non-agricultural sectors (2,288 hrs/year) and 48 hours/week for agriculture (2,496 hrs/year). Overtime: 25% premium for daytime hours, 50% for nighttime. On rest days/holidays: 50% daytime, 100% nighttime.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Morocco to Bhutan would see a 1851% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bhutan mandates 40 hours while Morocco mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bhutan are $1,430 vs $81 in Morocco.
See this comparison from Morocco's perspective: Morocco vs Bhutan
Compare Bhutan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bhutan or Morocco?
In Bhutan, the minimum wage is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). In Morocco, it is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 1851% 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 Morocco 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 Morocco?
The average gross salary in Bhutan is Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD), compared to MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD) in Morocco. In USD terms, workers in Bhutan earn approximately 210% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bhutan and Morocco is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Morocco 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 Morocco?
Morocco 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Bhutan and Morocco?
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 1.6x that of Morocco at $10,415. 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.