Key Facts: Bolivia vs Timor-Leste Wages
- Bolivia Minimum Wage
- Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD)
- Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
- $115/mo
- Bolivia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs4,200 /mo ($607.81 USD)
- Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 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 Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25)
Bolivia
Timor-Leste
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bolivia is roughly 61 times lower than in Timor-Leste in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Bolivia at $608/mo compared to $350/mo in Timor-Leste. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bolivia is 2.9x that of Timor-Leste, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bolivia has higher GDP per capita ($12,878 vs $4,423). Bolivia's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Timor-Leste's 1.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bolivia | Timor-Leste |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs13.02 $1.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs83.33 $12.06 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs2,500 $361.79 | $115 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Bs32,500 $4,703.33 | $1,380 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs4,200 /mo $607.81 | $350 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Bs3,780 /mo $547.03 | $330 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | Bs21,600 /yr $3,125.90 | $1,500 /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.
- Timor-Leste
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 52 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Timor-Leste Labour Code sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 52 hours. Overtime is compensated at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays and Sundays is at 2x.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Bolivia earns 6003% less per hour in USD terms than one in Timor-Leste. Standard work weeks differ: Bolivia mandates 48 hours while Timor-Leste mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bolivia are $90 vs $4,600 in Timor-Leste.
See this comparison from Timor-Leste's perspective: Timor-Leste vs Bolivia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bolivia or Timor-Leste?
In Bolivia, the minimum wage is Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD). In Timor-Leste, it is $115/mo. Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 6003% 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 Timor-Leste?
The average gross salary in Bolivia is Bs4,200/mo ($607.81 USD), compared to $350/mo in Timor-Leste. In USD terms, workers in Bolivia earn approximately 74% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bolivia and Timor-Leste 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 Timor-Leste.
How do work hours compare between Bolivia and Timor-Leste?
Bolivia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Timor-Leste. Workers in Bolivia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Timor-Leste 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 Timor-Leste?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bolivia has the higher GDP per capita at $12,878, which is 2.9x that of Timor-Leste at $4,423. From Bolivia'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.