Key Facts: India vs Iraq Wages
- India Minimum Wage
- ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD)
- Iraq Minimum Wage
- ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD)
- India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 USD)
- Iraq Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ع.د700,000 /mo ($536.40 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Employment. Central VDA April 2026 update verified via clc.gov.in/clc/min-wages: CPI rose 11.28 points triggering increase in centrally-regulated minimum wages (covers construction, sweeping/cleaning, watch & ward, and other Central Sphere employments). Note: Central VDA does NOT replace state minimum wages — most workers are subject to state-set rates which vary by state and update on different cycles. (2026-05-04), Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-25)
India
Iraq
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in India is roughly 34 times higher than in Iraq in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in India at $336/mo compared to $536/mo in Iraq. India has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.2% compared to 15.5%.
India has lower GDP per capita ($11,160 vs $14,464). India's unemployment rate is 4.2% compared to Iraq's 15.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | India | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ع.د1,823 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /day | ₹176 $1.85 | ع.د14,583 $11.17 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₹4,576 $48.17 | ع.د350,000 $268.20 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₹54,912 $578.08 | ع.د4,200,000 $3,218.39 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₹31,900 /mo $335.82 | ع.د700,000 /mo $536.40 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₹27,500 /mo $289.50 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11 | ع.د3,360,000 /yr $2,574.71 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means India is higher.
Work Week
- India
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act sets 48 hours/week, 9 hours/day. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. New Labour Codes (when implemented) may standardize at 48 hours across 4-6 day weeks.
- Iraq
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 per day / 48 per week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Work on official holidays is paid at 200%. Ramadan working hours are reduced. Public sector employees typically work ~40 hours/week in practice.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Iraq to India would see a 3349% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Iraq's perspective: Iraq vs India
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in India or Iraq?
In India, the minimum wage is ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD). In Iraq, it is ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD). India has the higher rate by 3349% 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 Iraq may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in India compared to Iraq?
The average gross salary in India is ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD), compared to ع.د700,000/mo ($536.40 USD) in Iraq. In USD terms, workers in India earn approximately 60% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between India and Iraq is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iraq earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in India.
How do work hours compare between India and Iraq?
Both India and Iraq mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 India and Iraq?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iraq has the higher GDP per capita at $14,464, which is 1.3x that of India at $11,160. From India'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.