Key Facts: Laos vs Palestine Wages
- Laos Minimum Wage
- ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD)
- Palestine Minimum Wage
- ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD)
- Laos Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₭4,000,000 /mo ($185.79 USD)
- Palestine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪3,200 /mo ($1,136.57 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare — Lao PDR (2026-02-25), Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Laos
Palestine
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Laos is roughly 1380 times lower than in Palestine in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $186/mo in Laos versus $1,137/mo in Palestine, a 6.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Laos is 2.2x that of Palestine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Laos has higher GDP per capita ($9,776 vs $4,371). Laos' unemployment rate is 1.2% compared to Palestine's 24.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Laos | Palestine |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₭10,417 $0.48 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₪86 $30.55 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₭2,500,000 $116.12 | ₪1,880 $667.73 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₭4,000,000 /mo $185.79 | ₪3,200 /mo $1,136.57 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₭3,600,000 /mo $167.21 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ₭18,000,000 /yr $836.04 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Palestine
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Palestinian Labour Law sets 45 hours/week maximum ordinary time (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime payable at 1.25x. Friday is the weekly rest day. Workers employed in Israel work under Israeli labour law (which has different provisions). The conflict beginning October 2023 has fundamentally disrupted normal labour conditions across the territory.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Laos earns 137908% less per hour in USD terms than one in Palestine. Standard work weeks differ: Laos mandates 48 hours while Palestine mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Laos are $23 vs $30,048 in Palestine.
See this comparison from Palestine's perspective: Palestine vs Laos
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Laos or Palestine?
In Laos, the minimum wage is ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD). In Palestine, it is ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD). Palestine has the higher rate by 137908% 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 Palestine?
The average gross salary in Laos is ₭4,000,000/mo ($185.79 USD), compared to ₪3,200/mo ($1,136.57 USD) in Palestine. In USD terms, workers in Laos earn approximately 512% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Laos and Palestine is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Palestine 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 Palestine?
Laos has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Palestine. Workers in Laos work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Palestine 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 Laos and Palestine?
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 2.2x that of Palestine at $4,371. 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.