Key Facts: Cambodia vs Finland Wages
- Cambodia Minimum Wage
- $0.88/hr
- Finland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Cambodia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $300 /mo ($300 USD)
- Finland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) — Cambodia (2026-06-01), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö) (2026-02-24)
Cambodia
Finland
Updated 2026-06-01
Unlike Finland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Cambodia mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $300/mo in Cambodia versus $4,542/mo in Finland, a 15.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Finland is 8.2x that of Cambodia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Cambodia has lower GDP per capita ($7,967 vs $65,378). Cambodia's unemployment rate is 0.3% compared to Finland's 9.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cambodia | Finland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $0.88 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | $210 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | $2,520 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $300 /mo | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $285 /mo | €2,700 /mo $3,144.29 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,800 /yr | €35,000 /yr $40,759.29 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cambodia is higher.
Work Week
- Cambodia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (1997) sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime is paid at 150% for daytime hours and 200% for nighttime/holiday hours. Maximum overtime is limited. Workers are entitled to 1.5 days off per week (Sunday plus Saturday afternoon). Garment workers typically work 6-day weeks with piece-rate bonuses.
- Finland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Working Hours Act / Työaikalaki). Regular daily working hours are 8 hours. Overtime for the first 2 hours is compensated at 150% and subsequent hours at 200%. Maximum overtime is 250 hours per calendar year. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Cambodia mandates 48 hours while Finland mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Finland's perspective: Finland vs Cambodia
Compare Cambodia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cambodia or Finland?
In Cambodia, the minimum wage is $0.88/hr. In Finland, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Cambodia compared to Finland?
The average gross salary in Cambodia is $300/mo, compared to €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD) in Finland. In USD terms, workers in Cambodia earn approximately 1414% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cambodia and Finland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Finland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cambodia.
How do work hours compare between Cambodia and Finland?
Cambodia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Finland. Workers in Cambodia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Finland 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 Cambodia and Finland?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Finland has the higher GDP per capita at $65,378, which is 8.2x that of Cambodia at $7,967. From Cambodia'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.