Key Facts: Bhutan vs Slovenia Wages
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- Slovenia Minimum Wage
- €8.55/hr ($9.96 USD)
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- Slovenia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,300 /mo ($2,678.47 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)
Bhutan
Slovenia
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bhutan is 259% higher than in Slovenia when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $198/mo in Bhutan versus $2,678/mo in Slovenia, a 13.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Slovenia is 3.5x that of Bhutan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bhutan has lower GDP per capita ($16,215 vs $57,186). Bhutan's unemployment rate is 3.2% compared to Slovenia's 3.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bhutan | Slovenia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | €8.55 $9.96 |
| Minimum wage /day | Nu125 $1.38 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Nu3,250 $35.75 | €1,481.88 $1,725.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Nu39,000 $429.04 | €17,782.56 $20,708.70 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 | €2,300 /mo $2,678.47 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 | €1,580 /mo $1,839.99 |
| Median individual income /yr | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 | €16,800 /yr $19,564.46 |
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.
- Slovenia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (minimum 36 hours for full-time). Overtime limited to 8 hours/week and 170 hours/year (extendable to 230 by consent). Overtime premium at least 30%.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Slovenia to Bhutan would see a 259% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Slovenia's perspective: Slovenia vs Bhutan
Compare Bhutan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bhutan or Slovenia?
In Bhutan, the minimum wage is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). In Slovenia, it is €8.55/hr ($9.96 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 259% 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 Slovenia 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 Slovenia?
The average gross salary in Bhutan is Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD), compared to €2,300/mo ($2,678.47 USD) in Slovenia. In USD terms, workers in Bhutan earn approximately 1253% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bhutan and Slovenia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Slovenia 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 Slovenia?
Both Bhutan and Slovenia 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 Slovenia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Slovenia has the higher GDP per capita at $57,186, which is 3.5x 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.