Key Facts: Egypt vs Bangladesh Wages
- Egypt Minimum Wage
- E£29.17/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Egypt Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- E£6,833 /mo ($134.51 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Manpower / National Wages Council; 2025 and 2026 announcements verified via JETRO citing Egyptian government sources (2026-05-27), Ministry of Labour and Employment / Minimum Wage Board; sectoral structure cross-referenced via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (2026-05-04)
Egypt
Bangladesh
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Egypt is roughly 181 times lower than in Bangladesh in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Egypt at $135/mo compared to $149/mo in Bangladesh. GDP per capita (PPP) in Egypt is 2.0x that of Bangladesh, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Egypt has higher GDP per capita ($19,094 vs $9,647). Egypt's unemployment rate is 6.8% compared to Bangladesh's 3.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Egypt | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | E£29.17 $0.57 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | E£7,000 $137.80 | ৳12,500 $103.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | E£84,000 $1,653.54 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | E£6,833 /mo $134.51 | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | E£6,150 /mo $121.06 | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Egypt is higher.
Work Week
- Egypt
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Law No. 12 of 2003 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week (excluding meal breaks). Overtime premium: 35% during the day, 70% at night. Maximum 2 overtime hours/day. Friday is the default weekly rest day. During Ramadan, working hours are commonly reduced in practice.
- Bangladesh
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Bangladesh Labour Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 60 hours/week. Overtime paid at double the basic wage. Factories must provide one day off per week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Egypt earns 17966% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bangladesh.
See this comparison from Bangladesh's perspective: Bangladesh vs Egypt
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Egypt or Bangladesh?
In Egypt, the minimum wage is E£29.17/hr ($0.57 USD). In Bangladesh, it is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 17966% 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 Egypt may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Egypt compared to Bangladesh?
The average gross salary in Egypt is E£6,833/mo ($134.51 USD), compared to ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD) in Bangladesh. In USD terms, workers in Egypt earn approximately 11% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Egypt and Bangladesh is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bangladesh earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Egypt.
How do work hours compare between Egypt and Bangladesh?
Both Egypt and Bangladesh mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Egypt and Bangladesh?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Egypt has the higher GDP per capita at $19,094, which is 2.0x that of Bangladesh at $9,647. From Egypt'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.