Key Facts: Pakistan vs Philippines Wages
- Pakistan Minimum Wage
- ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Philippines Minimum Wage
- ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD)
- Pakistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₨39,042 /mo ($140.19 USD)
- Philippines Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₱20,000 /mo ($323.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development; FY2025-26 federal budget confirmed minimum wage UNCHANGED at PKR 37,000/month (no increase despite high inflation; Federal Government Grade 1-16 employees received separate 10% pay rise that does not affect minimum wage). Verified via Brecorder (brecorder.com/news/minimum-wage-to-remain-unchanged-at-rs37000-in-fy26). (2026-05-04), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) / National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC); 2025 figures verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 18 July 2025) (2026-05-04)
Pakistan
Philippines
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Pakistan is roughly 509 times lower than in the Philippines in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $140/mo in Pakistan versus $324/mo in the Philippines, a 2.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Philippines is 1.9x that of Pakistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Pakistan has lower GDP per capita ($6,252 vs $11,794). Pakistan's unemployment rate is 5.4% compared to the Philippines' 2.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pakistan | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₨160 $0.57 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₱695 $11.25 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₨37,000 $132.85 | ₱18,070 $292.62 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₨444,000 $1,594.25 | ₱234,910 $3,804.09 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₨39,042 /mo $140.19 | ₱20,000 /mo $323.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₨35,138 /mo $126.17 | ₱17,600 /mo $285.01 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₨403,200 /yr $1,447.76 | ₱156,000 /yr $2,526.23 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Pakistan is higher.
Work Week
- Pakistan
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act 1934 sets standard at 48 hours/week (9 hrs/day). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. Shops and Establishments ordinances vary by province.
- Philippines
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labor Code sets normal working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Overtime: 25% premium on regular days, 30% on rest days/holidays. Night shift differential (10pm-6am): 10% additional. Special non-working holidays: 30% premium. Regular holidays: 100% premium.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Pakistan earns 50835% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Philippines.
See this comparison from Philippines's perspective: Philippines vs Pakistan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Pakistan or Philippines?
In Pakistan, the minimum wage is ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD). In the Philippines, it is ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD). Philippines has the higher rate by 50835% 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 Pakistan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Pakistan compared to Philippines?
The average gross salary in Pakistan is ₨39,042/mo ($140.19 USD), compared to ₱20,000/mo ($323.88 USD) in the Philippines. In USD terms, workers in Pakistan earn approximately 131% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Pakistan and Philippines is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Philippines earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Pakistan.
How do work hours compare between Pakistan and Philippines?
Both Pakistan and Philippines mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Pakistan and Philippines?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Philippines has the higher GDP per capita at $11,794, which is 1.9x that of Pakistan at $6,252. From Pakistan'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.