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Key Facts: Cambodia vs Italy Wages

Cambodia Minimum Wage
$0.88/hr
Italy Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Cambodia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$300 /mo ($300 USD)
Italy Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€2,600 /mo ($3,027.83 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) — Cambodia (2026-06-01), Ministry of Labour and Social Policies (Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali) (2026-02-24)

Cambodia flag Cambodia Italy flag Italy

Updated 2026-06-01

Cambodia flag Cambodia

Minimum Wage

$0.88 /hr

Avg. Gross Salary

$300 /mo

Italy flag Italy

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

€2,600 /mo

Avg. salary: -90% Cambodia vs Italy

Unlike Italy, which has no statutory minimum wage, Cambodia mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $300/mo in Cambodia versus $3,028/mo in Italy, a 10.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Italy is 7.8x that of Cambodia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Cambodia has lower GDP per capita ($7,967 vs $62,014). Cambodia's unemployment rate is 0.3% compared to Italy's 6.4%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Cambodia and Italy
Metric Cambodia Italy
Minimum wage /hr $0.88 None
Minimum wage /mo $210 None
Minimum wage /yr $2,520 None
Avg. gross salary /mo $300 /mo €2,600 /mo $3,027.83
Avg. net salary /mo $285 /mo €1,850 /mo $2,154.42
Median individual income /yr $1,800 /yr €22,500 /yr $26,202.40

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.

Italy

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Standard workweek is 40 hours (Legislative Decree 66/2003). Maximum average weekly hours including overtime is 48 hours over a 4-month reference period, per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime compensation is regulated by collective agreements, typically 15-30% surcharge depending on hours and sector.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Cambodia mandates 48 hours while Italy mandates 40 hours.

See this comparison from Italy's perspective: Italy vs Cambodia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Cambodia or Italy?

In Cambodia, the minimum wage is $0.88/hr. In Italy, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much less does the average worker earn in Cambodia compared to Italy?

The average gross salary in Cambodia is $300/mo, compared to €2,600/mo ($3,027.83 USD) in Italy. In USD terms, workers in Cambodia earn approximately 909% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cambodia and Italy is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Italy 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 Italy?

Cambodia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Italy. Workers in Cambodia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Italy 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 Italy?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Italy has the higher GDP per capita at $62,014, which is 7.8x 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.