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Key Facts: India vs Serbia Wages

India Minimum Wage
₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD)
Serbia Minimum Wage
RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD)
India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 USD)
Serbia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
RSD110,000 /mo ($1,023.26 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), Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (2026-02-24)

India flag India Serbia flag Serbia

Updated 2026-05-04

India flag India

Minimum Wage

₹4,576 /mo

$48.17 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₹31,900 /mo

Serbia flag Serbia

Minimum Wage

RSD271 /hr

$2.52 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

RSD110,000 /mo

Min wage: +1811% India vs Serbia Avg. salary: -67% India vs Serbia

The minimum wage in India is roughly 19 times higher than in Serbia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $336/mo in India versus $1,023/mo in Serbia, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Serbia is 2.9x that of India, underscoring the structural economic divide.

India has lower GDP per capita ($11,160 vs $32,832). India's unemployment rate is 4.2% compared to Serbia's 7.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between India and Serbia
Metric India Serbia
Minimum wage /hr RSD271 $2.52
Minimum wage /day ₹176 $1.85 RSD2,168 $20.17
Minimum wage /mo ₹4,576 $48.17 RSD47,000 $437.21
Minimum wage /yr ₹54,912 $578.08 RSD564,000 $5,246.51
Avg. gross salary /mo ₹31,900 /mo $335.82 RSD110,000 /mo $1,023.26
Avg. net salary /mo ₹27,500 /mo $289.50 RSD80,000 /mo $744.19
Median individual income /yr ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11 RSD600,000 /yr $5,581.40

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.

Serbia

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 40 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.26x pay

Labour Law sets full-time working hours at 40/week. Overtime: minimum 26% surcharge. Night work (22:00-06:00): minimum 26% surcharge. Holiday work: minimum 110% surcharge. Maximum overtime is 8 hours/week. Reduced working hours (36 or fewer) for hazardous occupations.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Serbia to India would see a 1811% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: India mandates 48 hours while Serbia mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in India are $2,312 vs $101 in Serbia.

See this comparison from Serbia's perspective: Serbia vs India

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in India or Serbia?

In India, the minimum wage is ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD). In Serbia, it is RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD). India has the higher rate by 1811% 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 Serbia 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 Serbia?

The average gross salary in India is ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD), compared to RSD110,000/mo ($1,023.26 USD) in Serbia. In USD terms, workers in India earn approximately 205% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between India and Serbia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Serbia 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 Serbia?

India has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Serbia. Workers in India work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Serbia 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 India and Serbia?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Serbia has the higher GDP per capita at $32,832, which is 2.9x 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.