Key Facts: Botswana vs Bangladesh Wages
- Botswana Minimum Wage
- P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD)
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Botswana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- P7,500 /mo ($555.14 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Employment / Minimum Wage Board; sectoral structure cross-referenced via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (2026-05-04)
Botswana
Bangladesh
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Botswana is roughly 155 times lower than in Bangladesh in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $555/mo in Botswana versus $149/mo in Bangladesh, a 3.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Botswana is 2.1x that of Bangladesh, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Botswana has higher GDP per capita ($20,538 vs $9,647). Botswana's unemployment rate is 24.5% compared to Bangladesh's 3.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Botswana | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | P9.06 $0.67 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | P1,883 $139.38 | ৳12,500 $103.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | P22,596 $1,672.54 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | P7,500 /mo $555.14 | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | P6,200 /mo $458.92 | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 |
| Median individual income /yr | P36,000 /yr $2,664.69 | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Botswana is higher.
Work Week
- Botswana
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or 8 hours/day for 6-day week). Overtime maximum of 14 additional hours per week. Overtime rate is 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays or rest days compensated at 2x.
- Bangladesh
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Bangladesh Labour Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 60 hours/week. Overtime paid at double the basic wage. Factories must provide one day off per week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Botswana earns 15369% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bangladesh.
See this comparison from Bangladesh's perspective: Bangladesh vs Botswana
Compare Botswana with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Botswana or Bangladesh?
In Botswana, the minimum wage is P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD). In Bangladesh, it is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 15369% 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 Botswana may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Botswana compared to Bangladesh?
The average gross salary in Botswana is P7,500/mo ($555.14 USD), compared to ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD) in Bangladesh. In USD terms, workers in Botswana earn approximately 272% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Botswana and Bangladesh is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Botswana earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bangladesh.
How do work hours compare between Botswana and Bangladesh?
Both Botswana and Bangladesh 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 Botswana and Bangladesh?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Botswana has the higher GDP per capita at $20,538, which is 2.1x that of Bangladesh at $9,647. From Botswana'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.