Key Facts: Myanmar vs Singapore Wages
- Myanmar Minimum Wage
- K975/hr ($0.46 USD)
- Singapore Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Myanmar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- K450,000 /mo ($214.29 USD)
- Singapore Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S$5,800 /mo ($4,472.55 USD)
- Data Sources
- National Committee for Setting up the Minimum Wage — Myanmar (2026-02-25), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2026-06-01)
Myanmar
Singapore
Updated 2026-06-01
Unlike Singapore, which has no statutory minimum wage, Myanmar mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $214/mo in Myanmar versus $4,473/mo in Singapore, a 20.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Singapore is 25.1x that of Myanmar, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Myanmar has lower GDP per capita ($5,997 vs $150,689). Myanmar's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Singapore's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Myanmar | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | K975 $0.46 | None |
| Minimum wage /day | K7,800 $3.71 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | K202,800 $96.57 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | K2,433,600 $1,158.86 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | K450,000 /mo $214.29 | S$5,800 /mo $4,472.55 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | K400,000 /mo $190.48 | S$4,930 /mo $3,801.67 |
| Median individual income /yr | K1,800,000 /yr $857.14 | S$66,000 /yr $50,894.51 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Myanmar is higher.
Work Week
- Myanmar
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act sets normal working hours at 44 hours per week for factories. Shops and Establishments Law allows up to 48 hours. Overtime is paid at double the normal rate.
- Singapore
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act caps at 44 hours/week (8 hrs/day for 5-day week, or 9 hrs/day for fewer days). Overtime pay at 1.5x hourly basic rate, applies to non-workmen earning up to SGD 2,600/mo and workmen earning up to SGD 4,500/mo. Maximum overtime: 72 hours/month.
See this comparison from Singapore's perspective: Singapore vs Myanmar
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Myanmar or Singapore?
In Myanmar, the minimum wage is K975/hr ($0.46 USD). In Singapore, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Myanmar compared to Singapore?
The average gross salary in Myanmar is K450,000/mo ($214.29 USD), compared to S$5,800/mo ($4,472.55 USD) in Singapore. In USD terms, workers in Myanmar earn approximately 1987% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Myanmar and Singapore is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Singapore earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Myanmar.
How do work hours compare between Myanmar and Singapore?
Both Myanmar and Singapore mandate a similar standard work week of 44 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Myanmar and Singapore?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Singapore has the higher GDP per capita at $150,689, which is 25.1x that of Myanmar at $5,997. From Myanmar's 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.