Key Facts: Bolivia vs Thailand Wages
- Bolivia Minimum Wage
- Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD)
- Thailand Minimum Wage
- ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD)
- Bolivia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs4,200 /mo ($607.81 USD)
- Thailand Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ฿15,700 /mo ($482.26 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), Ministry of Labour / National Wage Committee (2026-05-27)
Bolivia
Thailand
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Bolivia is roughly 170 times lower than in Thailand in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Bolivia at $608/mo compared to $482/mo in Thailand. GDP per capita (PPP) in Thailand is 1.9x that of Bolivia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bolivia has lower GDP per capita ($12,878 vs $24,712). Bolivia's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Thailand's 0.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bolivia | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs13.02 $1.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs83.33 $12.06 | ฿400 $12.29 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs2,500 $361.79 | ฿10,400 $319.46 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Bs32,500 $4,703.33 | ฿124,800 $3,833.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs4,200 /mo $607.81 | ฿15,700 /mo $482.26 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Bs3,780 /mo $547.03 | ฿14,915 /mo $458.15 |
| Median individual income /yr | Bs21,600 /yr $3,125.90 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Thailand
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Protection Act sets maximum 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week for general work (42 hours for hazardous work). Overtime at 1.5x base rate. Holiday work at 1x additional. Holiday overtime at 3x. Employees cannot be forced to work more than 36 overtime hours per week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Bolivia earns 16854% less per hour in USD terms than one in Thailand.
See this comparison from Thailand's perspective: Thailand vs Bolivia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bolivia or Thailand?
In Bolivia, the minimum wage is Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD). In Thailand, it is ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD). Thailand has the higher rate by 16854% 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 Bolivia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bolivia compared to Thailand?
The average gross salary in Bolivia is Bs4,200/mo ($607.81 USD), compared to ฿15,700/mo ($482.26 USD) in Thailand. In USD terms, workers in Bolivia earn approximately 26% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bolivia and Thailand is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bolivia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Thailand.
How do work hours compare between Bolivia and Thailand?
Both Bolivia and Thailand mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Bolivia and Thailand?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Thailand has the higher GDP per capita at $24,712, which is 1.9x 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.