Key Facts: Bhutan vs Taiwan Wages
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24)
Bhutan 
Taiwan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Bhutan is roughly 6 times higher than in Taiwan 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 $1,865/mo in Taiwan, a 9.4:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bhutan | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | NT$190 $6.11 |
| Minimum wage /day | Nu125 $1.38 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Nu3,250 $35.75 | NT$28,590 $919.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Nu39,000 $429.04 | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 |
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.
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Taiwan to Bhutan would see a 485% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Taiwan's perspective: Taiwan vs Bhutan
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Is the minimum wage higher in Bhutan or Taiwan?
In Bhutan, the minimum wage is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). In Taiwan, it is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 485% 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 Taiwan 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 Taiwan?
The average gross salary in Bhutan is Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD), compared to NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD) in Taiwan. In USD terms, workers in Bhutan earn approximately 842% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bhutan and Taiwan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Taiwan 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 Taiwan?
Both Bhutan and Taiwan 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.