Key Facts: Curaçao vs Japan Wages
- Curaçao Minimum Wage
- ƒ11.72/hr ($6.55 USD)
- Japan Minimum Wage
- ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD)
- Curaçao Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ƒ3,218 /mo ($1,797.77 USD)
- Japan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ¥398,333 /mo ($2,497.54 USD)
- Data Sources
- WageIndicator Foundation / SER Curacao (2026-05-04), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2026-05-23)
Curaçao
Japan
Updated 2026-05-23
Both high-income economies, Curaçao and Japan set comparable minimum wage floors in USD terms. Average salaries are lower in Curaçao at $1,798/mo compared to $2,498/mo in Japan.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Curaçao | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ƒ11.72 $6.55 | ¥1,121 $7.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ƒ2,031.47 $1,134.90 | ¥194,303 $1,218.28 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ƒ24,377.60 $13,618.77 | ¥2,331,680 $14,619.60 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ƒ3,218 /mo $1,797.77 | ¥398,333 /mo $2,497.54 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ¥290,833 /mo $1,823.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | ƒ27,456 /yr $15,338.55 | ¥3,620,000 /yr $22,697.35 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Curaçao is higher.
Work Week
- Curaçao
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Governed by the Ministry of Social Development, Labour, and Welfare, with advisory input from the Sociaal Economische Raad (SER) Curacao.
- Japan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hrs/week base. Overtime premium 25% (50% over 60 hrs/month). Late night (10pm-5am) adds 25%. Holiday work adds 35%.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Curaçao earns 7% less per hour in USD terms than one in Japan.
See this comparison from Japan's perspective: Japan vs Curaçao
Compare Curaçao with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Curaçao or Japan?
In Curaçao, the minimum wage is ƒ11.72/hr ($6.55 USD). In Japan, it is ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD). Japan has the higher rate by 7% 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 Curaçao may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Curaçao compared to Japan?
The average gross salary in Curaçao is ƒ3,218/mo ($1,797.77 USD), compared to ¥398,333/mo ($2,497.54 USD) in Japan. In USD terms, workers in Curaçao earn approximately 39% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Curaçao and Japan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Japan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Curaçao.
How do work hours compare between Curaçao and Japan?
Both Curaçao and Japan mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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.