Key Facts: Finland vs Barbados Wages
- Finland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Barbados Minimum Wage
- Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD)
- Finland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Barbados Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bds$3,900 /mo ($1,950 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö) (2026-02-24), Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector — Barbados (2026-02-25)
Finland
Barbados
Updated 2026-02-25
Finland has no statutory minimum wage, while Barbados sets a floor of $5/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,542/mo in Finland versus $1,950/mo in Barbados, a 2.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Finland is 2.6x that of Barbados, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Finland has higher GDP per capita ($65,378 vs $24,823). Finland's unemployment rate is 9.5% compared to Barbados' 6.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Finland | Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | Bds$10.71 $5.36 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | Bds$1,855.07 $927.54 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | Bds$22,260.80 $11,130.40 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 | Bds$3,900 /mo $1,950 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €2,700 /mo $3,144.29 | Bds$3,120 /mo $1,560 |
| Median individual income /yr | €35,000 /yr $40,759.29 | Bds$28,000 /yr $14,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Finland is higher.
Work Week
- Finland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Working Hours Act / Työaikalaki). Regular daily working hours are 8 hours. Overtime for the first 2 hours is compensated at 150% and subsequent hours at 200%. Maximum overtime is 250 hours per calendar year. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
- Barbados
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). The Shops Act allows up to 48 hours in some retail sectors. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Work on Sundays and public holidays typically paid at 2x the regular rate.
See this comparison from Barbados's perspective: Barbados vs Finland
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Finland or Barbados?
In Finland, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Barbados, it is Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Finland compared to Barbados?
The average gross salary in Finland is €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD), compared to Bds$3,900/mo ($1,950 USD) in Barbados. In USD terms, workers in Finland earn approximately 133% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Finland and Barbados is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Finland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Barbados.
How do work hours compare between Finland and Barbados?
Both Finland and Barbados 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Finland and Barbados?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Finland has the higher GDP per capita at $65,378, which is 2.6x that of Barbados at $24,823. From Finland'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.