Key Facts: Mauritius vs Bhutan Wages
- Mauritius Minimum Wage
- ₨98.71/hr ($2.13 USD)
- Bhutan Minimum Wage
- Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
- Mauritius Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₨43,500 /mo ($937.70 USD)
- Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training / National Minimum Wage Regulations (2026-02-25), Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25)
Mauritius
Bhutan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Mauritius is roughly 17 times lower than in Bhutan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $938/mo in Mauritius versus $198/mo in Bhutan, a 4.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Mauritius is 2.0x that of Bhutan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Mauritius has higher GDP per capita ($31,840 vs $16,215). Mauritius' unemployment rate is 5.6% compared to Bhutan's 3.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mauritius | Bhutan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₨98.71 $2.13 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Nu125 $1.38 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₨17,110 $368.83 | Nu3,250 $35.75 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₨205,320 $4,425.95 | Nu39,000 $429.04 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₨43,500 /mo $937.70 | Nu18,000 /mo $198.02 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₨37,000 /mo $797.59 | Nu16,000 /mo $176.02 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₨276,000 /yr $5,949.56 | Nu72,000 /yr $792.08 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mauritius is higher.
Work Week
- Mauritius
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours, typically 5 days of 9 hours or 6 days of 7.5 hours. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate on regular days, 2x on public holidays and rest days. Governed by the Workers' Rights Act 2019 (which replaced the Employment Rights Act 2008). Overtime becomes payable after normal daily working hours.
- Bhutan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Bhutan Labour and Employment Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard workweek (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. The public sector follows a 5-day, 8-hour schedule.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Mauritius earns 1580% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bhutan. Standard work weeks differ: Mauritius mandates 45 hours while Bhutan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mauritius are $96 vs $1,430 in Bhutan.
See this comparison from Bhutan's perspective: Bhutan vs Mauritius
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mauritius or Bhutan?
In Mauritius, the minimum wage is ₨98.71/hr ($2.13 USD). In Bhutan, it is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 1580% 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 Mauritius may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Mauritius compared to Bhutan?
The average gross salary in Mauritius is ₨43,500/mo ($937.70 USD), compared to Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD) in Bhutan. In USD terms, workers in Mauritius earn approximately 374% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mauritius and Bhutan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mauritius earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bhutan.
How do work hours compare between Mauritius and Bhutan?
Mauritius has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bhutan. Workers in Mauritius work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bhutan 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 Mauritius and Bhutan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mauritius has the higher GDP per capita at $31,840, which is 2.0x that of Bhutan at $16,215. From Mauritius' 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.