Key Facts: Palestine vs Malaysia Wages
- Palestine Minimum Wage
- ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD)
- Malaysia Minimum Wage
- RM8.72/hr ($2.20 USD)
- Palestine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪3,200 /mo ($1,136.57 USD)
- Malaysia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RM4,000 /mo ($1,008.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR); Minimum Wages Order 2024 P.U.(A) 376 eff 2025-02-01; primary source gajiminimum.mohr.gov.my (2026-05-27)
Palestine
Malaysia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Palestine is roughly 304 times higher than in Malaysia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Palestine at $1,137/mo compared to $1,009/mo in Malaysia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Malaysia is 8.9x that of Palestine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Palestine has lower GDP per capita ($4,371 vs $38,779). Palestine's unemployment rate is 24.4% compared to Malaysia's 3.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Palestine | Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | RM8.72 $2.20 |
| Minimum wage /day | ₪86 $30.55 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₪1,880 $667.73 | RM1,700 $428.75 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | RM20,400 $5,145.02 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₪3,200 /mo $1,136.57 | RM4,000 /mo $1,008.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | RM3,520 /mo $887.77 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | RM31,200 /yr $7,868.85 |
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.
- Malaysia
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 1955 (amended 2022) reduced maximum working hours from 48 to 45 hours/week, effective 1 January 2023. Maximum 8 hours/day or 45 hours/week. Overtime at 1.5x on normal days, 2x on rest days, 3x on public holidays. Maximum overtime: 104 hours/month. Applies to employees earning up to MYR 4,000/mo (threshold raised from MYR 2,000 in 2023 amendments).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Malaysia to Palestine would see a 30262% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Malaysia's perspective: Malaysia vs Palestine
Compare Palestine with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Palestine or Malaysia?
In Palestine, the minimum wage is ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD). In Malaysia, it is RM8.72/hr ($2.20 USD). Palestine has the higher rate by 30262% 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 Malaysia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Palestine compared to Malaysia?
The average gross salary in Palestine is ₪3,200/mo ($1,136.57 USD), compared to RM4,000/mo ($1,008.83 USD) in Malaysia. In USD terms, workers in Palestine earn approximately 13% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Palestine and Malaysia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Palestine earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Malaysia.
How do work hours compare between Palestine and Malaysia?
Both Palestine and Malaysia mandate a similar standard work week of 45 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 Palestine and Malaysia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Malaysia has the higher GDP per capita at $38,779, which is 8.9x 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.