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Key Facts: Namibia vs Bhutan Wages

Namibia Minimum Wage
N$18/hr ($1.13 USD)
Bhutan Minimum Wage
Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD)
Namibia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
N$13,500 /mo ($845.34 USD)
Bhutan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Nu18,000 /mo ($198.02 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation / Wage Order 2024 (2026-02-25), Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment — Royal Government of Bhutan / ILO (2026-02-25)

Namibia flag Namibia Bhutan flag Bhutan

Updated 2026-02-25

Namibia flag Namibia

Minimum Wage

N$18 /hr

$1.13 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

N$13,500 /mo

Bhutan flag Bhutan

Minimum Wage

Nu3,250 /mo

$35.75 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Nu18,000 /mo

Min wage: -97% Namibia vs Bhutan Avg. salary: +327% Namibia vs Bhutan

The minimum wage in Namibia is roughly 32 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: $845/mo in Namibia versus $198/mo in Bhutan, a 4.3:1 ratio. Bhutan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.2% compared to 19.3%.

Namibia has lower GDP per capita ($11,687 vs $16,215). Namibia's unemployment rate is 19.3% compared to Bhutan's 3.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Namibia and Bhutan
Metric Namibia Bhutan
Minimum wage /hr N$18 $1.13
Minimum wage /day Nu125 $1.38
Minimum wage /mo N$3,510 $219.79 Nu3,250 $35.75
Minimum wage /yr N$42,120 $2,637.45 Nu39,000 $429.04
Avg. gross salary /mo N$13,500 /mo $845.34 Nu18,000 /mo $198.02
Avg. net salary /mo N$11,000 /mo $688.79 Nu16,000 /mo $176.02
Median individual income /yr N$48,000 /yr $3,005.64 Nu72,000 /yr $792.08

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Namibia is higher.

Work Week

Namibia

45 hrs/wk standard

Max 45 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Act sets maximum ordinary hours at 45 per week (9 hrs/day for 5-day week, 8 hrs/day for 6-day week). Overtime limited to 10 hours/week and 3 hours/day. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Rest days at 2x. Daily rest period of at least 12 consecutive hours. Weekly rest of at least 36 consecutive hours (ideally including Sunday). Annual leave: 20 working days for 5-day week.

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 Namibia earns 3072% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bhutan. Standard work weeks differ: Namibia mandates 45 hours while Bhutan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Namibia are $51 vs $1,430 in Bhutan.

See this comparison from Bhutan's perspective: Bhutan vs Namibia

Compare Namibia with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Namibia or Bhutan?

In Namibia, the minimum wage is N$18/hr ($1.13 USD). In Bhutan, it is Nu3,250/mo ($35.75 USD). Bhutan has the higher rate by 3072% 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 Namibia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Namibia compared to Bhutan?

The average gross salary in Namibia is N$13,500/mo ($845.34 USD), compared to Nu18,000/mo ($198.02 USD) in Bhutan. In USD terms, workers in Namibia earn approximately 327% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Namibia and Bhutan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Namibia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bhutan.

How do work hours compare between Namibia and Bhutan?

Namibia has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bhutan. Workers in Namibia 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 Namibia and Bhutan?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bhutan has the higher GDP per capita at $16,215, which is 1.4x that of Namibia at $11,687. From Namibia'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.