Key Facts: Latvia vs Palestine Wages
- Latvia Minimum Wage
- €4.50/hr ($5.24 USD)
- Palestine Minimum Wage
- ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD)
- Latvia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,600 /mo ($1,863.28 USD)
- Palestine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪3,200 /mo ($1,136.57 USD)
- Data Sources
- State Revenue Service (Valsts ieņēmumu dienests); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04), Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Latvia
Palestine
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Latvia is roughly 127 times lower than in Palestine in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Latvia at $1,863/mo compared to $1,137/mo in Palestine. GDP per capita (PPP) in Latvia is 9.9x that of Palestine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Latvia has higher GDP per capita ($43,394 vs $4,371). Latvia's unemployment rate is 6.6% compared to Palestine's 24.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Latvia | Palestine |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €4.50 $5.24 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₪86 $30.55 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €780 $908.35 | ₪1,880 $667.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €9,360 $10,900.20 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €1,600 /mo $1,863.28 | ₪3,200 /mo $1,136.57 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,180 /mo $1,374.17 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €10,200 /yr $11,878.42 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Latvia is higher.
Work Week
- Latvia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Overtime is limited and must be compensated at 100% premium (double rate). Night work premium at least 50%. Overtime not to exceed 144 hours in a 4-month period.
- 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 Latvia earns 12642% less per hour in USD terms than one in Palestine. Standard work weeks differ: Latvia mandates 40 hours while Palestine mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Latvia are $210 vs $30,048 in Palestine.
See this comparison from Palestine's perspective: Palestine vs Latvia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Latvia or Palestine?
In Latvia, the minimum wage is €4.50/hr ($5.24 USD). In Palestine, it is ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD). Palestine has the higher rate by 12642% 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 Latvia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Latvia compared to Palestine?
The average gross salary in Latvia is €1,600/mo ($1,863.28 USD), compared to ₪3,200/mo ($1,136.57 USD) in Palestine. In USD terms, workers in Latvia earn approximately 64% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Latvia and Palestine is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Latvia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Palestine.
How do work hours compare between Latvia and Palestine?
Palestine has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Latvia. Workers in Latvia work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Latvia 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 Latvia and Palestine?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Latvia has the higher GDP per capita at $43,394, which is 9.9x that of Palestine at $4,371. From Latvia'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.