Key Facts: Norway vs Singapore Wages
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Singapore Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,549.35 USD)
- Singapore Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S$5,800 /mo ($4,472.55 USD)
- Data Sources
- Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2026-06-01)
Norway
Singapore
Updated 2026-06-01
Neither Norway nor Singapore has a statutory minimum wage, relying instead on collective bargaining or sectoral agreements. Average salaries are higher in Norway at $5,549/mo compared to $4,473/mo in Singapore.
Norway has lower GDP per capita ($102,038 vs $150,689). Norway's unemployment rate is 4.6% compared to Singapore's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Norway | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr55,150 /mo $5,549.35 | S$5,800 /mo $4,472.55 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr38,600 /mo $3,884.04 | S$4,930 /mo $3,801.67 |
| Median individual income /yr | kr570,000 /yr $57,355.03 | S$66,000 /yr $50,894.51 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Norway is higher.
Work Week
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Norway mandates 37.5 hours while Singapore mandates 44 hours.
See this comparison from Singapore's perspective: Singapore vs Norway
Compare Norway with...
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more does the average worker earn in Norway compared to Singapore?
The average gross salary in Norway is kr55,150/mo ($5,549.35 USD), compared to S$5,800/mo ($4,472.55 USD) in Singapore. In USD terms, workers in Norway earn approximately 24% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Norway and Singapore is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Singapore.
How do work hours compare between Norway and Singapore?
Singapore has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Norway work 37.5 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Norway 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 1.5x that of Norway at $102,038. From Norway'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.