Key Facts: Japan vs Chad Wages
- Japan Minimum Wage
- ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD)
- Chad Minimum Wage
- FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD)
- Japan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ¥398,333 /mo ($2,497.54 USD)
- Chad Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA180,000 /mo ($323.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2026-05-23), ILO / Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et du Dialogue Social (Chad) (2026-02-25)
Japan
Chad
Updated 2026-05-23
The minimum wage in Japan is roughly 15 times lower than in Chad in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,498/mo in Japan versus $323/mo in Chad, a 7.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Japan is 19.0x that of Chad, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Japan has higher GDP per capita ($52,039 vs $2,743). Japan's unemployment rate is 2.5% compared to Chad's 1.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Japan | Chad |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ¥1,121 $7.03 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ¥194,303 $1,218.28 | FCFA60,000 $107.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ¥2,331,680 $14,619.60 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ¥398,333 /mo $2,497.54 | FCFA180,000 /mo $323.16 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ¥290,833 /mo $1,823.52 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ¥3,620,000 /yr $22,697.35 | FCFA180,000 /yr $323.16 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Japan is higher.
Work Week
- Japan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hrs/week base. Overtime premium 25% (50% over 60 hrs/month). Late night (10pm-5am) adds 25%. Holiday work adds 35%.
- Chad
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Overtime compensated at 1.5x. These provisions apply only to a narrow formal-sector workforce.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Japan earns 1433% less per hour in USD terms than one in Chad.
See this comparison from Chad's perspective: Chad vs Japan
Compare Japan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Japan or Chad?
In Japan, the minimum wage is ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD). In Chad, it is FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD). Chad has the higher rate by 1433% 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 Japan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Japan compared to Chad?
The average gross salary in Japan is ¥398,333/mo ($2,497.54 USD), compared to FCFA180,000/mo ($323.16 USD) in Chad. In USD terms, workers in Japan earn approximately 673% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Japan and Chad is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Japan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Chad.
How do work hours compare between Japan and Chad?
Both Japan and Chad 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 Japan and Chad?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Japan has the higher GDP per capita at $52,039, which is 19.0x that of Chad at $2,743. From Japan'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.