Key Facts: Brunei vs Taiwan Wages
- Brunei Minimum Wage
- B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD)
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Brunei Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$2,500 /mo ($1,968.50 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- Data Sources
- Labour Department, Ministry of Home Affairs — Brunei Darussalam (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24)
Brunei
Taiwan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Brunei is 66% lower than in Taiwan in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average salaries are higher in Brunei at $1,969/mo compared to $1,865/mo in Taiwan.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Brunei | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | B$2.62 $2.06 | NT$190 $6.11 |
| Minimum wage /mo | B$500 $393.70 | NT$28,590 $919.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | B$6,000 $4,724.41 | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | B$2,500 /mo $1,968.50 | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | B$2,500 /mo $1,968.50 | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | B$18,000 /yr $14,173.23 | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 |
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.
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Brunei earns 196% less per hour in USD terms than one in Taiwan. Standard work weeks differ: Brunei mandates 44 hours while Taiwan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Brunei are $91 vs $244 in Taiwan.
See this comparison from Taiwan's perspective: Taiwan vs Brunei
Compare Brunei with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Brunei or Taiwan?
In Brunei, the minimum wage is B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD). In Taiwan, it is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). Taiwan has the higher rate by 196% 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 Brunei 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 Taiwan?
The average gross salary in Brunei is B$2,500/mo ($1,968.50 USD), compared to NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD) in Taiwan. In USD terms, workers in Brunei earn approximately 6% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Brunei and Taiwan 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 Taiwan.
How do work hours compare between Brunei and Taiwan?
Brunei has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Taiwan. Workers in Brunei work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Taiwan 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.