Key Facts: Japan vs Haiti Wages
- Japan Minimum Wage
- ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD)
- Haiti Minimum Wage
- G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD)
- Japan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ¥398,333 /mo ($2,497.54 USD)
- Haiti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G25,000 /mo ($187.97 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2026-05-23), Haitian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Japan
Haiti
Updated 2026-05-23
The minimum wage in Japan is roughly 18 times lower than in Haiti 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 $188/mo in Haiti, a 13.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Japan is 16.3x that of Haiti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Japan has higher GDP per capita ($52,039 vs $3,194). Japan's unemployment rate is 2.5% compared to Haiti's 14.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Japan | Haiti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ¥1,121 $7.03 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | G685 $5.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ¥194,303 $1,218.28 | G17,125 $128.76 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ¥2,331,680 $14,619.60 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ¥398,333 /mo $2,497.54 | G25,000 /mo $187.97 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ¥290,833 /mo $1,823.52 | G23,000 /mo $172.93 |
| Median individual income /yr | ¥3,620,000 /yr $22,697.35 | G72,000 /yr $541.35 |
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%.
- Haiti
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Haiti Labour Code sets 48 hours as the standard workweek (8 hours/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 56 hours. Overtime paid at 1.5x the regular rate. In practice, enforcement is very limited and informal workers have no effective protection.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Japan earns 1732% less per hour in USD terms than one in Haiti. Standard work weeks differ: Japan mandates 40 hours while Haiti mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Japan are $281 vs $6,180 in Haiti.
See this comparison from Haiti's perspective: Haiti vs Japan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Japan or Haiti?
In Japan, the minimum wage is ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD). In Haiti, it is G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD). Haiti has the higher rate by 1732% 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 Haiti?
The average gross salary in Japan is ¥398,333/mo ($2,497.54 USD), compared to G25,000/mo ($187.97 USD) in Haiti. In USD terms, workers in Japan earn approximately 1229% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Japan and Haiti 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 Haiti.
How do work hours compare between Japan and Haiti?
Haiti has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Japan. Workers in Japan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Japan 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 Japan and Haiti?
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 16.3x that of Haiti at $3,194. 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.