Key Facts: Iceland vs Venezuela Wages
- Iceland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24), Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04)
Iceland
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
Iceland has no statutory minimum wage, while Venezuela sets a floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $6,479/mo in Iceland versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 473.0:1 ratio.
Iceland's unemployment rate is 3.6% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Iceland | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Iceland is higher.
Work Week
- Iceland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.8x pay
Standard working week is 40 hours (set by collective agreements). The Act on Working Environment and Health sets maximum average of 48 hours/week per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime premiums are set by collective agreements, typically 80% premium (1.8x) for daytime overtime, higher for evenings/weekends. A landmark 2021 agreement reduced standard hours from 40 to 36 for many public sector workers, with the private sector gradually following.
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs Iceland
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Iceland or Venezuela?
In Iceland, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Iceland compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Iceland is kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Iceland earn approximately 47195% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iceland and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iceland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Iceland and Venezuela?
Both Iceland and Venezuela 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.