Key Facts: Laos vs Haiti Wages
- Laos Minimum Wage
- ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD)
- Haiti Minimum Wage
- G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD)
- Laos Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₭4,000,000 /mo ($185.79 USD)
- Haiti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G25,000 /mo ($187.97 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare — Lao PDR (2026-02-25), Haitian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Laos
Haiti
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Laos is roughly 266 times lower than in Haiti in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Laos at $186/mo compared to $188/mo in Haiti. GDP per capita (PPP) in Laos is 3.1x that of Haiti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Laos has higher GDP per capita ($9,776 vs $3,194). Laos' unemployment rate is 1.2% compared to Haiti's 14.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Laos | Haiti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₭10,417 $0.48 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | G685 $5.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₭2,500,000 $116.12 | G17,125 $128.76 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₭4,000,000 /mo $185.79 | G25,000 /mo $187.97 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₭3,600,000 /mo $167.21 | G23,000 /mo $172.93 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₭18,000,000 /yr $836.04 | G72,000 /yr $541.35 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Laos is higher.
Work Week
- Laos
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Workers in dangerous conditions are limited to 6 hours/day or 36 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 45 hours/month or 3 hours/day. Overtime compensation: 1.5x regular rate on normal days, 2.5x on weekly rest days during daytime, 3x on rest days at night. Governed by the Labour Law.
- 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 Laos earns 26512% less per hour in USD terms than one in Haiti.
See this comparison from Haiti's perspective: Haiti vs Laos
Compare Laos with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Laos or Haiti?
In Laos, the minimum wage is ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD). In Haiti, it is G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD). Haiti has the higher rate by 26512% 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 Laos may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Laos compared to Haiti?
The average gross salary in Laos is ₭4,000,000/mo ($185.79 USD), compared to G25,000/mo ($187.97 USD) in Haiti. In USD terms, workers in Laos earn approximately 1% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Laos and Haiti is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Haiti earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Laos.
How do work hours compare between Laos and Haiti?
Both Laos and Haiti mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Laos and Haiti?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Laos has the higher GDP per capita at $9,776, which is 3.1x that of Haiti at $3,194. From Laos' 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.