Key Facts: Honduras vs Netherlands Wages
- Honduras Minimum Wage
- L50.80/hr ($1.92 USD)
- Netherlands Minimum Wage
- €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD)
- Honduras Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L18,265 /mo ($688.73 USD)
- Netherlands Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Data Sources
- Secretaría de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (STSS) — Honduras (2026-02-25), Rijksoverheid (Government of the Netherlands); 2026 monthly basis verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (40-hour workweek convention) (2026-05-27)
Honduras
Netherlands
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Honduras is roughly 9 times lower than in the Netherlands in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $689/mo in Honduras versus $4,542/mo in the Netherlands, a 6.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Netherlands is 11.5x that of Honduras, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Honduras' perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Honduras' minimum wage buys less than the Netherlands'. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Honduras is $4 international dollars, compared to $20 in the Netherlands. Honduras has lower GDP per capita ($7,486 vs $86,174). Honduras' unemployment rate is 4.9% compared to the Netherlands' 3.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Honduras | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L50.80 $1.92 | €14.71 $17.13 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L12,191.70 $459.72 | €2,549.73 $2,969.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L158,492.10 $5,976.32 | €30,596.76 $35,631.49 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L18,265 /mo $688.73 | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L15,500 /mo $584.46 | €2,750 /mo $3,202.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | L108,000 /yr $4,072.40 | €36,500 /yr $42,506.11 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Honduras is higher.
Work Week
- Honduras
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum at 44 hours/week for daytime work (8 hours/day, 6 days). Nighttime shifts max at 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Mixed shifts at 42 hours/week (7 hours/day). Overtime paid at 1.5x the normal rate.
- Netherlands
-
36 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek varies by sector: commonly 36, 38, or 40 hours. The Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) limits working time to 12 hours per shift and 60 hours per week, averaged to a maximum of 48 hours over 16 weeks. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements or individual contracts.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Honduras earns 794% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Netherlands. Standard work weeks differ: Honduras mandates 44 hours while the Netherlands mandates 36 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Honduras are $84 vs $617 in the Netherlands.
See this comparison from Netherlands's perspective: Netherlands vs Honduras
Compare Honduras with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Honduras or Netherlands?
In Honduras, the minimum wage is L50.80/hr ($1.92 USD). In the Netherlands, it is €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD). Netherlands has the higher rate by 794% 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 Honduras may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Honduras compared to Netherlands?
The average gross salary in Honduras is L18,265/mo ($688.73 USD), compared to €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD) in the Netherlands. In USD terms, workers in Honduras earn approximately 559% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Honduras and Netherlands is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Netherlands earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Honduras.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Honduras or Netherlands?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in the Netherlands can afford more than those in Honduras. The PPP-adjusted rate is $4 in Honduras and $20 in the Netherlands. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 350% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Honduras appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Honduras and Netherlands?
Honduras has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 36 hours in the Netherlands. Workers in Honduras work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Netherlands 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 Honduras and Netherlands?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Netherlands has the higher GDP per capita at $86,174, which is 11.5x that of Honduras at $7,486. From Honduras' 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.