Italy China

Updated 2026-05-04

Italy

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

€2,600 /mo

China

Minimum Wage

¥25 /hr

$3.68 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

¥10,343 /mo

Avg. salary: +94% Italy vs China

Italy has no statutory minimum wage, while China sets a floor of $4/hr. Average salaries are higher in Italy at $2,960/mo compared to $1,522/mo in China. GDP per capita (PPP) in Italy is 2.3x that of China, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Italy has higher GDP per capita ($62,014 vs $27,105). Italy's unemployment rate is 6.4% compared to China's 4.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Italy and China
Metric	Italy	China	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	None	¥25 $3.68	—
Minimum wage /mo	None	¥2,740 $403.27	—
Minimum wage /yr	None	¥32,880 $4,839.21	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	€2,600 /mo $2,959.59	¥10,343 /mo $1,522.26	+94.4%
Avg. net salary /mo	€1,850 /mo $2,105.86	¥8,274 /mo $1,217.75	+72.9%
Median individual income /yr	€22,500 /yr $25,611.84	¥34,707 /yr $5,108.10	+401.4%

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Italy is higher.

Work Week

Italy: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Standard workweek is 40 hours (Legislative Decree 66/2003). Maximum average weekly hours including overtime is 48 hours over a 4-month reference period, per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime compensation is regulated by collective agreements, typically 15-30% surcharge depending on hours and sector.
China: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 44 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law sets 40 hours/week standard (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Overtime limited to 36 hours/month. Weekday overtime: 150%, rest day overtime: 200%, statutory holiday overtime: 300%. The '996' culture (9am-9pm, 6 days/week) is widespread in tech but was ruled illegal by the Supreme People's Court in 2021.

See this comparison from China's perspective: China vs Italy

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Italy or China?

In Italy, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In China, it is ¥25/hr ($3.68 USD).

How much more does the average worker earn in Italy compared to China?

The average gross salary in Italy is €2,600/mo ($2,959.59 USD), compared to ¥10,343/mo ($1,522.26 USD) in China. In USD terms, workers in Italy earn approximately 94% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Italy and China is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Italy earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in China.

How do work hours compare between Italy and China?

Both Italy and China 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.

What is the cost of living difference between Italy and China?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Italy has the higher GDP per capita at $62,014, which is 2.3x that of China at $27,105. From Italy'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.