Key Facts: Italy vs Hong Kong Wages
- Italy Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Hong Kong Minimum Wage
- HK$42.10/hr ($5.37 USD)
- Italy Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,600 /mo ($3,027.83 USD)
- Hong Kong Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- HK$20,500 /mo ($2,615.76 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policies (Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali) (2026-02-24), Minimum Wage Commission / Census and Statistics Department, HKSAR; current rate verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-05-01) (2026-05-04)
Italy 
Hong Kong
Updated 2026-05-04
Italy has no statutory minimum wage, while Hong Kong sets a floor of $5/hr. Average salaries are higher in Italy at $3,028/mo compared to $2,616/mo in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.8% compared to 6.4%.
Italy has lower GDP per capita ($62,014 vs $75,196). Italy's unemployment rate is 6.4% compared to Hong Kong's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Italy | Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | HK$42.10 $5.37 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | HK$7,297 $931.08 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | HK$87,568 $11,173.52 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,600 /mo $3,027.83 | HK$20,500 /mo $2,615.76 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 | HK$19,475 /mo $2,484.98 |
| Median individual income /yr | €22,500 /yr $26,202.40 | HK$246,000 /yr $31,389.16 |
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.
- Hong Kong
-
hrs/wk standard
Hong Kong has NO statutory standard working hours or maximum working hours for most employees (a rare situation globally). The government has considered legislation but has not enacted a standard hours law. Working hours are determined by individual employment contracts. Average actual working hours are ~40-44 hrs/week. Overtime pay is not legally mandated except for certain specific occupations.
See this comparison from Hong Kong's perspective: Hong Kong vs Italy
Compare Italy with...
Italy vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Italy vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Italy vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Italy vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Italy vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Italy vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Italy vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Italy vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Italy vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Italy vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Italy vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Italy vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Italy vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Italy vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Italy vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Italy vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Italy vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Italy vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Italy vs Switzerland 
Italy vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Italy vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Italy vs Sweden 
Italy vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Italy vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Italy or Hong Kong?
In Italy, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Hong Kong, it is HK$42.10/hr ($5.37 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Italy compared to Hong Kong?
The average gross salary in Italy is €2,600/mo ($3,027.83 USD), compared to HK$20,500/mo ($2,615.76 USD) in Hong Kong. In USD terms, workers in Italy earn approximately 16% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Italy and Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong.
What is the cost of living difference between Italy and Hong Kong?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Hong Kong has the higher GDP per capita at $75,196, which is 1.2x that of Italy at $62,014. From Italy'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.