Key Facts: Fiji vs Singapore Wages
- Fiji Minimum Wage
- FJ$5/hr ($2.25 USD)
- Singapore Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Fiji Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FJ$2,500 /mo ($1,126.13 USD)
- Singapore Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S$5,800 /mo ($4,472.55 USD)
- Data Sources
- Fiji Government / Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations (2026-02-25), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2026-06-01)
Fiji
Singapore
Updated 2026-06-01
Unlike Singapore, which has no statutory minimum wage, Fiji mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,126/mo in Fiji versus $4,473/mo in Singapore, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Singapore is 9.8x that of Fiji, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Fiji has lower GDP per capita ($15,450 vs $150,689). Fiji's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Singapore's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Fiji | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FJ$5 $2.25 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | FJ$960 $432.43 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | FJ$11,520 $5,189.19 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FJ$2,500 /mo $1,126.13 | S$5,800 /mo $4,472.55 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | FJ$2,100 /mo $945.95 | S$4,930 /mo $3,801.67 |
| Median individual income /yr | FJ$14,400 /yr $6,486.49 | S$66,000 /yr $50,894.51 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Fiji is higher.
Work Week
- Fiji
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Statutory maximum of 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days) under the Employment Relations Act 2007. Many office-based employers adopt a 40-hour week (8 hours/day, Monday-Friday) by policy or collective agreement. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays at 2x.
- Singapore
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act caps at 44 hours/week (8 hrs/day for 5-day week, or 9 hrs/day for fewer days). Overtime pay at 1.5x hourly basic rate, applies to non-workmen earning up to SGD 2,600/mo and workmen earning up to SGD 4,500/mo. Maximum overtime: 72 hours/month.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Fiji mandates 48 hours while Singapore mandates 44 hours.
See this comparison from Singapore's perspective: Singapore vs Fiji
Compare Fiji with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Fiji or Singapore?
In Fiji, the minimum wage is FJ$5/hr ($2.25 USD). In Singapore, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Fiji compared to Singapore?
The average gross salary in Fiji is FJ$2,500/mo ($1,126.13 USD), compared to S$5,800/mo ($4,472.55 USD) in Singapore. In USD terms, workers in Fiji earn approximately 297% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Fiji and Singapore is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Singapore earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Fiji.
How do work hours compare between Fiji and Singapore?
Fiji has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Singapore. Workers in Fiji work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Singapore 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 Fiji and Singapore?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Singapore has the higher GDP per capita at $150,689, which is 9.8x that of Fiji at $15,450. From Fiji'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.