Key Facts: New Zealand vs Venezuela Wages
- New Zealand Minimum Wage
- NZ$23.50/hr ($13.99 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- New Zealand Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NZ$5,666.67 /mo ($3,374.22 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Employment New Zealand / Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (2026-03-02), Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04)
New Zealand
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in New Zealand is roughly 751 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,374/mo in New Zealand versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 246.3:1 ratio.
New Zealand's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New Zealand | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | NZ$23.50 $13.99 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | NZ$4,073.83 $2,425.77 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | NZ$48,880 $29,105.63 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | NZ$5,666.67 /mo $3,374.22 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | NZ$4,533.33 /mo $2,699.37 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | NZ$61,828 /yr $36,815.53 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means New Zealand is higher.
Work Week
- New Zealand
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Overtime : 1.5x pay
No statutory maximum working hours, but employers must ensure reasonable working hours. Most employment agreements specify 40 hours/week. Overtime rates not mandated by statute but commonly 1.5x by agreement. Time-and-a-half and a day in lieu required for work on public holidays.
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Venezuela to New Zealand would see a 75010% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs New Zealand
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in New Zealand or Venezuela?
In New Zealand, the minimum wage is NZ$23.50/hr ($13.99 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). New Zealand has the higher rate by 75010% 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 Venezuela may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in New Zealand compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in New Zealand is NZ$5,666.67/mo ($3,374.22 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in New Zealand earn approximately 24532% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between New Zealand and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in New Zealand earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between New Zealand and Venezuela?
Both New Zealand and Venezuela mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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.