Key Facts: Brunei vs Cuba Wages
- Brunei Minimum Wage
- B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Brunei Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$2,500 /mo ($1,968.50 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Labour Department, Ministry of Home Affairs — Brunei Darussalam (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Brunei
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Brunei is roughly 70 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,969/mo in Brunei versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 121.4:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 5.3%.
Brunei's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Brunei | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | B$2.62 $2.06 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | B$500 $393.70 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | B$6,000 $4,724.41 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | B$2,500 /mo $1,968.50 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | B$2,500 /mo $1,968.50 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | B$18,000 /yr $14,173.23 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Brunei is higher.
Work Week
- Brunei
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard working hours are 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week under the Employment Order, 2009. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. During Ramadan, Muslim workers typically work 6 hours/day. The government sector generally works 37.5-40 hours/week.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Brunei would see a 6879% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Brunei
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Brunei or Cuba?
In Brunei, the minimum wage is B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Brunei has the higher rate by 6879% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Brunei compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Brunei is B$2,500/mo ($1,968.50 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Brunei earn approximately 12038% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Brunei and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brunei earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Brunei and Cuba?
Both Brunei and Cuba mandate a similar standard work week of 44 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.