Key Facts: Palestine vs Bulgaria Wages
- Palestine Minimum Wage
- ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD)
- Bulgaria Minimum Wage
- лв7.30/hr ($4.40 USD)
- Palestine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪3,200 /mo ($1,136.57 USD)
- Bulgaria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- лв2,200 /mo ($1,325.30 USD)
- Data Sources
- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)
Palestine
Bulgaria
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Palestine is roughly 152 times higher than in Bulgaria in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Palestine at $1,137/mo compared to $1,325/mo in Bulgaria. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bulgaria is 9.6x that of Palestine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Palestine has lower GDP per capita ($4,371 vs $41,969). Palestine's unemployment rate is 24.4% compared to Bulgaria's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Palestine | Bulgaria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | лв7.30 $4.40 |
| Minimum wage /day | ₪86 $30.55 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₪1,880 $667.73 | лв1,213 $730.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | лв14,556 $8,768.67 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₪3,200 /mo $1,136.57 | лв2,200 /mo $1,325.30 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | лв1,720 /mo $1,036.14 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | лв14,400 /yr $8,674.70 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Palestine is higher.
Work Week
- Palestine
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Palestinian Labour Law sets 45 hours/week maximum ordinary time (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime payable at 1.25x. Friday is the weekly rest day. Workers employed in Israel work under Israeli labour law (which has different provisions). The conflict beginning October 2023 has fundamentally disrupted normal labour conditions across the territory.
- Bulgaria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime premium: 50% for weekdays, 75% for weekends, 100% for public holidays. Annual overtime limit of 150 hours.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Bulgaria to Palestine would see a 15084% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Palestine mandates 45 hours while Bulgaria mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Palestine are $30,048 vs $176 in Bulgaria.
See this comparison from Bulgaria's perspective: Bulgaria vs Palestine
Compare Palestine with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Palestine or Bulgaria?
In Palestine, the minimum wage is ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD). In Bulgaria, it is лв7.30/hr ($4.40 USD). Palestine has the higher rate by 15084% 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 Bulgaria may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Palestine compared to Bulgaria?
The average gross salary in Palestine is ₪3,200/mo ($1,136.57 USD), compared to лв2,200/mo ($1,325.30 USD) in Bulgaria. In USD terms, workers in Palestine earn approximately 17% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Palestine and Bulgaria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bulgaria earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Palestine.
How do work hours compare between Palestine and Bulgaria?
Palestine has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bulgaria. Workers in Palestine work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bulgaria 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 Palestine and Bulgaria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bulgaria has the higher GDP per capita at $41,969, which is 9.6x that of Palestine at $4,371. From Palestine'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.