Key Facts: Colombia vs Uzbekistan Wages
- Colombia Minimum Wage
- COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
- Uzbekistan Minimum Wage
- сўм7,521/hr ($0.62 USD)
- Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
- Uzbekistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- сўм5,357,000 /mo ($439.03 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio del Trabajo y Seguridad Social; 2026 SMLMV per Decretos 1469 y 1470 de 2025 + Decreto 0159 de 2026 (auxilio de transporte) (2026-05-27), Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan (2026-07-06)
Colombia
Uzbekistan
Updated 2026-07-06
The minimum wage in Colombia is 187% higher than in Uzbekistan when converted to USD. Average salaries are higher in Colombia at $533/mo compared to $439/mo in Uzbekistan. GDP per capita (PPP) in Colombia is 1.9x that of Uzbekistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Colombia's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Colombia's minimum wage buys more than Uzbekistan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Colombia is $5 international dollars, compared to $2 in Uzbekistan. Colombia has higher GDP per capita ($22,349 vs $11,879). Colombia's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Uzbekistan's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Colombia | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | COP7,295.44 $1.77 | сўм7,521 $0.62 |
| Minimum wage /mo | COP1,750,905 $423.95 | сўм1,271,000 $104.16 |
| Minimum wage /yr | COP22,761,765 $5,511.32 | сўм15,252,000 $1,249.96 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 | сўм5,357,000 /mo $439.03 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 | сўм4,714,000 /mo $386.33 |
| Median individual income /yr | COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 | сўм30,000,000 /yr $2,458.61 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Colombia is higher.
Work Week
- Colombia
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Colombia is reducing the workweek from 48 to 42 hours under Ley 2101 de 2021 in annual steps. As of 2026-01-01, the maximum is 44 hours/week. The final step (44h → 42h) takes effect July 2026. Daytime overtime: 25% premium. Night overtime: 75% premium. Sunday/holiday work: 75% premium (175% if also overtime).
- Uzbekistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours. Reduced hours (36 hrs) for workers aged 16-18, hazardous conditions, and night work. Overtime limited to 4 hours per day and 120 hours per year. Overtime is compensated at double rate. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%. Holiday work at double rate.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Uzbekistan to Colombia would see a 187% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Colombia mandates 44 hours while Uzbekistan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Colombia are $78 vs $25 in Uzbekistan.
See this comparison from Uzbekistan's perspective: Uzbekistan vs Colombia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Colombia or Uzbekistan?
In Colombia, the minimum wage is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). In Uzbekistan, it is сўм7,521/hr ($0.62 USD). Colombia has the higher rate by 187% 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 Uzbekistan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Colombia compared to Uzbekistan?
The average gross salary in Colombia is COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD), compared to сўм5,357,000/mo ($439.03 USD) in Uzbekistan. In USD terms, workers in Colombia earn approximately 21% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Colombia and Uzbekistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Colombia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Uzbekistan.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Colombia or Uzbekistan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Colombia can afford more than those in Uzbekistan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $5 in Colombia and $2 in Uzbekistan. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 126% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Uzbekistan appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Colombia and Uzbekistan?
Colombia has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Uzbekistan. Workers in Colombia work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Uzbekistan 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 Colombia and Uzbekistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Colombia has the higher GDP per capita at $22,349, which is 1.9x that of Uzbekistan at $11,879. From Colombia'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.