Key Facts: Kosovo vs Timor-Leste Wages
- Kosovo Minimum Wage
- €1.57/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
- $115/mo
- Kosovo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €650 /mo ($756.96 USD)
- Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Data Sources
- Kosovo Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers / Kosovo Labour Law No. 03/L-212 (2026-02-25), Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25)
Kosovo
Timor-Leste
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Kosovo is roughly 63 times lower than in Timor-Leste in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $757/mo in Kosovo versus $350/mo in Timor-Leste, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Kosovo is 4.0x that of Timor-Leste, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Kosovo has higher GDP per capita ($17,864 vs $4,423).
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kosovo | Timor-Leste |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €1.57 $1.83 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | €264 $307.44 | $115 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €3,168 $3,689.30 | $1,380 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €650 /mo $756.96 | $350 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €580 /mo $675.44 | $330 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €3,600 /yr $4,192.38 | $1,500 /yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Kosovo is higher.
Work Week
- Kosovo
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Labour Law No. 03/L-212 sets the standard working week at 40 hours (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week (overtime limit: 8 hrs/week, 40 hrs/month, 240 hrs/year). Overtime is compensated at 130% of regular pay. Night work (22:00–06:00) carries a 26% premium. Weekend work is compensated at 150%. Workers are entitled to 18 days of paid annual leave (minimum); employees with disabilities and younger workers get more.
- Timor-Leste
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 52 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Timor-Leste Labour Code sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 52 hours. Overtime is compensated at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays and Sundays is at 2x.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Kosovo earns 6190% less per hour in USD terms than one in Timor-Leste.
See this comparison from Timor-Leste's perspective: Timor-Leste vs Kosovo
Compare Kosovo with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kosovo or Timor-Leste?
In Kosovo, the minimum wage is €1.57/hr ($1.83 USD). In Timor-Leste, it is $115/mo. Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 6190% 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 Kosovo may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Kosovo compared to Timor-Leste?
The average gross salary in Kosovo is €650/mo ($756.96 USD), compared to $350/mo in Timor-Leste. In USD terms, workers in Kosovo earn approximately 116% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kosovo and Timor-Leste is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kosovo earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Timor-Leste.
How do work hours compare between Kosovo and Timor-Leste?
Both Kosovo and Timor-Leste 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 Kosovo and Timor-Leste?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Kosovo has the higher GDP per capita at $17,864, which is 4.0x that of Timor-Leste at $4,423. From Kosovo'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.