Key Facts: Greece vs Pakistan Wages
- Greece Minimum Wage
- €5.31/hr ($6.04 USD)
- Pakistan Minimum Wage
- ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Greece Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,400 /mo ($1,593.63 USD)
- Pakistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₨39,042 /mo ($140.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-04-01) (2026-05-04), Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development; FY2025-26 federal budget confirmed minimum wage UNCHANGED at PKR 37,000/month (no increase despite high inflation; Federal Government Grade 1-16 employees received separate 10% pay rise that does not affect minimum wage). Verified via Brecorder (brecorder.com/news/minimum-wage-to-remain-unchanged-at-rs37000-in-fy26). (2026-05-04)
Greece
Pakistan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Greece is roughly 11 times higher than in Pakistan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,594/mo in Greece versus $140/mo in Pakistan, a 11.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Greece is 7.1x that of Pakistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Greece's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Greece's minimum wage buys more than Pakistan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Greece is $10 international dollars, compared to $2 in Pakistan. Greece has higher GDP per capita ($44,327 vs $6,252). Greece's unemployment rate is 8.5% compared to Pakistan's 5.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Greece | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €5.31 $6.04 | ₨160 $0.57 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €920 $1,047.24 | ₨37,000 $132.85 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €12,880 $14,661.35 | ₨444,000 $1,594.25 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €1,400 /mo $1,593.63 | ₨39,042 /mo $140.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,100 /mo $1,252.13 | ₨35,138 /mo $126.17 |
| Median individual income /yr | €12,800 /yr $14,570.29 | ₨403,200 /yr $1,447.76 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Greece is higher.
Work Week
- Greece
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours across 5 days (Labour Law). Overtime beyond 40 hours is compensated at 120% for the first 5 hours per week and 140% thereafter. In 2024, Greece introduced optional 6-day workweek legislation for certain industries, with the 6th day paid at 140%. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
- Pakistan
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act 1934 sets standard at 48 hours/week (9 hrs/day). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. Shops and Establishments ordinances vary by province.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Pakistan to Greece would see a 952% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Greece mandates 40 hours while Pakistan mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Greece are $242 vs $28 in Pakistan.
See this comparison from Pakistan's perspective: Pakistan vs Greece
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Greece or Pakistan?
In Greece, the minimum wage is €5.31/hr ($6.04 USD). In Pakistan, it is ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD). Greece has the higher rate by 952% 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 Pakistan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Greece compared to Pakistan?
The average gross salary in Greece is €1,400/mo ($1,593.63 USD), compared to ₨39,042/mo ($140.19 USD) in Pakistan. In USD terms, workers in Greece earn approximately 1037% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Greece and Pakistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Greece earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Pakistan.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Greece or Pakistan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Greece can afford more than those in Pakistan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $10 in Greece and $2 in Pakistan. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 327% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Pakistan appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Greece and Pakistan?
Pakistan has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Greece. Workers in Greece work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Greece 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 Greece and Pakistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Greece has the higher GDP per capita at $44,327, which is 7.1x that of Pakistan at $6,252. From Greece'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.