Key Facts: Maldives vs Hong Kong Wages
- Maldives Minimum Wage
- Rf38.46/hr ($2.49 USD)
- Hong Kong Minimum Wage
- HK$42.10/hr ($5.37 USD)
- Maldives Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Rf19,200 /mo ($1,242.72 USD)
- Hong Kong Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- HK$20,500 /mo ($2,615.76 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Economic Development and Trade — Maldives (2026-02-25), Minimum Wage Commission / Census and Statistics Department, HKSAR; current rate verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-05-01) (2026-05-04)
Maldives 
Hong Kong
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in the Maldives is 54% lower than in Hong Kong in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,243/mo in the Maldives versus $2,616/mo in Hong Kong, a 2.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Hong Kong is 2.9x that of Maldives, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From the Maldives' perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, the Maldives' minimum wage buys less than Hong Kong's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in the Maldives is $5 international dollars, compared to $8 in Hong Kong. The Maldives has lower GDP per capita ($26,183 vs $75,196). The Maldives' unemployment rate is 4.5% compared to Hong Kong's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Maldives | Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Rf38.46 $2.49 | HK$42.10 $5.37 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Rf8,000 $517.80 | HK$7,297 $931.08 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | HK$87,568 $11,173.52 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Rf19,200 /mo $1,242.72 | HK$20,500 /mo $2,615.76 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Rf17,280 /mo $1,118.45 | HK$19,475 /mo $2,484.98 |
| Median individual income /yr | Rf108,000 /yr $6,990.29 | HK$246,000 /yr $31,389.16 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Maldives is higher.
Work Week
- Maldives
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours with 1 day off per week (typically Friday, the weekly holiday). Overtime is compensated at 125%-150% of regular wages. The Employment Act sets the framework. Tourism/resort workers often work different shift patterns. Many resort workers live on-island with provided accommodation and meals.
- Hong Kong
-
hrs/wk standard
Hong Kong has NO statutory standard working hours or maximum working hours for most employees (a rare situation globally). The government has considered legislation but has not enacted a standard hours law. Working hours are determined by individual employment contracts. Average actual working hours are ~40-44 hrs/week. Overtime pay is not legally mandated except for certain specific occupations.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in the Maldives earns 116% less per hour in USD terms than one in Hong Kong.
See this comparison from Hong Kong's perspective: Hong Kong vs Maldives
Compare Maldives with...
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Maldives vs Israel ₪ 35.4 /hr Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Maldives or Hong Kong?
In the Maldives, the minimum wage is Rf38.46/hr ($2.49 USD). In Hong Kong, it is HK$42.10/hr ($5.37 USD). Hong Kong has the higher rate by 116% 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 the Maldives may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Maldives compared to Hong Kong?
The average gross salary in the Maldives is Rf19,200/mo ($1,242.72 USD), compared to HK$20,500/mo ($2,615.76 USD) in Hong Kong. In USD terms, workers in the Maldives earn approximately 110% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Maldives and Hong Kong is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Hong Kong earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Maldives.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Maldives or Hong Kong?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Hong Kong can afford more than those in the Maldives. The PPP-adjusted rate is $5 in the Maldives and $8 in Hong Kong. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 53% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in the Maldives appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
What is the cost of living difference between Maldives and Hong Kong?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Hong Kong has the higher GDP per capita at $75,196, which is 2.9x that of Maldives at $26,183. From the Maldives' perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.