Key Facts: Bolivia vs Norway Wages
- Bolivia Minimum Wage
- Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bolivia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs4,200 /mo ($607.81 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social; 2024 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-05-01) (2026-05-04), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Bolivia
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Bolivia mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $608/mo in Bolivia versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 9.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 7.9x that of Bolivia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bolivia has lower GDP per capita ($12,878 vs $102,038). Bolivia's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bolivia | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs13.02 $1.88 | None |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs83.33 $12.06 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs2,500 $361.79 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | Bs32,500 $4,703.33 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs4,200 /mo $607.81 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Bs3,780 /mo $547.03 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | Bs21,600 /yr $3,125.90 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bolivia is higher.
Work Week
- Bolivia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
General Labour Law (Ley General del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 40 hours for night work, and 44 for mixed shifts. Overtime is paid at 100% surcharge (double pay). Sunday is the mandatory rest day.
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Bolivia mandates 48 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Bolivia
Compare Bolivia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bolivia or Norway?
In Bolivia, the minimum wage is Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Bolivia compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Bolivia is Bs4,200/mo ($607.81 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Bolivia earn approximately 879% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bolivia and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bolivia.
How do work hours compare between Bolivia and Norway?
Bolivia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Bolivia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Bolivia and Norway?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 7.9x that of Bolivia at $12,878. From Bolivia'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.