Key Facts: Malaysia vs Venezuela Wages
- Malaysia Minimum Wage
- RM8.72/hr ($2.20 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Malaysia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RM4,000 /mo ($1,008.83 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR); Minimum Wages Order 2024 P.U.(A) 376 eff 2025-02-01; primary source gajiminimum.mohr.gov.my (2026-05-27), Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04)
Malaysia 
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Malaysia is roughly 118 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,009/mo in Malaysia versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 73.6:1 ratio.
Malaysia's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Malaysia | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RM8.72 $2.20 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | RM1,700 $428.75 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | RM20,400 $5,145.02 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RM4,000 /mo $1,008.83 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RM3,520 /mo $887.77 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | RM31,200 /yr $7,868.85 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Malaysia is higher.
Work Week
- Malaysia
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 1955 (amended 2022) reduced maximum working hours from 48 to 45 hours/week, effective 1 January 2023. Maximum 8 hours/day or 45 hours/week. Overtime at 1.5x on normal days, 2x on rest days, 3x on public holidays. Maximum overtime: 104 hours/month. Applies to employees earning up to MYR 4,000/mo (threshold raised from MYR 2,000 in 2023 amendments).
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Venezuela to Malaysia would see a 11705% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Malaysia mandates 45 hours while Venezuela mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Malaysia are $99 vs $1 in Venezuela.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs Malaysia
Compare Malaysia with...
Malaysia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Malaysia vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Malaysia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Malaysia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Malaysia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Malaysia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Malaysia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Malaysia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Malaysia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Malaysia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Malaysia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Malaysia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Malaysia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Malaysia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Malaysia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Malaysia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Malaysia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Malaysia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Malaysia vs Switzerland 
Malaysia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Malaysia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Malaysia vs Sweden 
Malaysia vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Malaysia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Malaysia or Venezuela?
In Malaysia, the minimum wage is RM8.72/hr ($2.20 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Malaysia has the higher rate by 11705% 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 Venezuela may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Malaysia compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Malaysia is RM4,000/mo ($1,008.83 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Malaysia earn approximately 7264% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Malaysia and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Malaysia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Malaysia and Venezuela?
Malaysia has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Malaysia work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Venezuela 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.