Key Facts: Estonia vs Taiwan Wages
- Estonia Minimum Wage
- €5.67/hr ($6.60 USD)
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Estonia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,950 /mo ($2,270.87 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of Estonia; 2026 figure per Riigi Teataja Government Regulation (töötasu alammäär) eff 2026-04-01 (2026-05-27), Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24)
Estonia
Taiwan
Updated 2026-05-27
Both high-income economies, Estonia and Taiwan set comparable minimum wage floors in USD terms. Average salaries are higher in Estonia at $2,271/mo compared to $1,865/mo in Taiwan.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Estonia | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €5.67 $6.60 | NT$190 $6.11 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €946 $1,101.67 | NT$28,590 $919.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €11,352 $13,219.98 | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €1,950 /mo $2,270.87 | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,560 /mo $1,816.70 | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | €14,400 /yr $16,769.54 | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Estonia is higher.
Work Week
- Estonia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime must be compensated at 1.5x rate or with equivalent time off. Annual overtime limit varies by agreement.
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Taiwan to Estonia would see a 8% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Taiwan's perspective: Taiwan vs Estonia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Estonia or Taiwan?
In Estonia, the minimum wage is €5.67/hr ($6.60 USD). In Taiwan, it is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). Estonia has the higher rate by 8% 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 Taiwan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Estonia compared to Taiwan?
The average gross salary in Estonia is €1,950/mo ($2,270.87 USD), compared to NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD) in Taiwan. In USD terms, workers in Estonia earn approximately 22% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Estonia and Taiwan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Estonia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Taiwan.
How do work hours compare between Estonia and Taiwan?
Both Estonia and Taiwan 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.