Key Facts: Netherlands vs Cuba Wages
- Netherlands Minimum Wage
- €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Netherlands Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Rijksoverheid (Government of the Netherlands); 2026 monthly basis verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (40-hour workweek convention) (2026-05-27), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Netherlands 
Cuba
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in the Netherlands is roughly 579 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,542/mo in the Netherlands versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 280.1:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 3.9%.
The Netherlands' unemployment rate is 3.9% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Netherlands | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €14.71 $17.13 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €2,549.73 $2,969.29 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €30,596.76 $35,631.49 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €2,750 /mo $3,202.52 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | €36,500 /yr $42,506.11 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Netherlands is higher.
Work Week
- Netherlands
-
36 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek varies by sector: commonly 36, 38, or 40 hours. The Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) limits working time to 12 hours per shift and 60 hours per week, averaged to a maximum of 48 hours over 16 weeks. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements or individual contracts.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to the Netherlands would see a 57850% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Netherlands mandates 36 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Netherlands are $617 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Netherlands
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Is the minimum wage higher in Netherlands or Cuba?
In the Netherlands, the minimum wage is €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Netherlands has the higher rate by 57850% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Netherlands compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in the Netherlands is €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in the Netherlands earn approximately 27906% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Netherlands and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Netherlands earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Netherlands and Cuba?
Cuba has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 36 hours in the Netherlands. Workers in the Netherlands work 36 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Netherlands 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.