Key Facts: Netherlands vs Taiwan Wages
- Netherlands Minimum Wage
- €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD)
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Netherlands Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 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), Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24)
Netherlands
Taiwan
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in the Netherlands is 180% higher than in Taiwan when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,542/mo in the Netherlands versus $1,865/mo in Taiwan, a 2.4:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Netherlands | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €14.71 $17.13 | NT$190 $6.11 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €2,549.73 $2,969.29 | NT$28,590 $919.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €30,596.76 $35,631.49 | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €2,750 /mo $3,202.52 | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | €36,500 /yr $42,506.11 | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 |
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.
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Taiwan to the Netherlands would see a 180% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Netherlands mandates 36 hours while Taiwan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Netherlands are $617 vs $244 in Taiwan.
See this comparison from Taiwan's perspective: Taiwan vs Netherlands
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Netherlands or Taiwan?
In the Netherlands, the minimum wage is €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD). In Taiwan, it is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). Netherlands has the higher rate by 180% 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 Taiwan 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 Taiwan?
The average gross salary in the Netherlands is €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD), compared to NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD) in Taiwan. In USD terms, workers in the Netherlands earn approximately 144% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Netherlands and Taiwan 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 Taiwan.
How do work hours compare between Netherlands and Taiwan?
Taiwan has a longer standard work week at 40 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.