Key Facts: Palestine vs North Macedonia Wages
- Palestine Minimum Wage
- ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD)
- North Macedonia Minimum Wage
- ден207/hr ($3.95 USD)
- Palestine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪3,200 /mo ($1,136.57 USD)
- North Macedonia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ден55,000 /mo ($1,050.62 USD)
- Data Sources
- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia (2026-02-25)
Palestine
North Macedonia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Palestine is roughly 169 times higher than in North Macedonia 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 $1,051/mo in North Macedonia. GDP per capita (PPP) in North Macedonia is 6.2x that of Palestine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Palestine has lower GDP per capita ($4,371 vs $26,995). Palestine's unemployment rate is 24.4% compared to North Macedonia's 12.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Palestine | North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ден207 $3.95 |
| Minimum wage /day | ₪86 $30.55 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₪1,880 $667.73 | ден36,037 $688.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ден432,444 $8,260.63 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₪3,200 /mo $1,136.57 | ден55,000 /mo $1,050.62 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ден38,000 /mo $725.88 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ден264,000 /yr $5,042.98 |
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.
- North Macedonia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Relations Law sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week, up to 190 hours per year. Overtime premium at least 35%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 35%. Work on rest days and holidays at least 50% premium.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from North Macedonia to Palestine would see a 16787% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Palestine mandates 45 hours while North Macedonia mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Palestine are $30,048 vs $158 in North Macedonia.
See this comparison from North Macedonia's perspective: North Macedonia vs Palestine
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Palestine or North Macedonia?
In Palestine, the minimum wage is ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD). In North Macedonia, it is ден207/hr ($3.95 USD). Palestine has the higher rate by 16787% 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 North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?
The average gross salary in Palestine is ₪3,200/mo ($1,136.57 USD), compared to ден55,000/mo ($1,050.62 USD) in North Macedonia. In USD terms, workers in Palestine earn approximately 8% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Palestine and North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia.
How do work hours compare between Palestine and North Macedonia?
Palestine has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in North Macedonia. Workers in Palestine work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. North Macedonia has the higher GDP per capita at $26,995, which is 6.2x 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.