Peru Belize

Updated 2026-05-27

Peru

Minimum Wage

S/5.89 /hr

$1.60 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

S/2,200 /mo

Belize

Minimum Wage

BZ$5 /hr

$2.50 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

BZ$1,800 /mo

Min wage: -36% Peru vs Belize Avg. salary: -34% Peru vs Belize

The minimum wage in Peru is 36% lower than in Belize in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average salaries are lower in Peru at $598/mo compared to $900/mo in Belize. Peru has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.1% compared to 8.9%.

From Peru's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Peru's minimum wage buys less than Belize's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Peru is $3 international dollars, compared to $5 in Belize. Peru has higher GDP per capita ($17,802 vs $14,347). Peru's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Belize's 8.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Peru and Belize
Metric	Peru	Belize	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	S/5.89 $1.60	BZ$5 $2.50	-36.0%
Minimum wage /mo	S/1,130 $307.07	BZ$975 $487.50	-37.0%
Minimum wage /yr	S/15,820 $4,298.91	BZ$11,700 $5,850	-26.5%
Avg. gross salary /mo	S/2,200 /mo $597.83	BZ$1,800 /mo $900	-33.6%
Avg. net salary /mo	S/1,870 /mo $508.15	BZ$1,530 /mo $765	-33.6%
Median individual income /yr	S/15,600 /yr $4,239.13	BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000	-29.3%

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Peru is higher.

Work Week

Peru: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Constitution sets maximum at 48 hours/week, 8 hours/day (or 6 days at 8 hrs). Office workers commonly work 40-45 hrs. Overtime: first 2 hours at 125%, subsequent hours at 135%. Night shift (10pm-6am) receives a 35% surcharge.
Belize: 45 hrs/wk standard

Max 45 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.

• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)

Peru Belize Source: wage.is · USD equivalent/hr

Year	Peru (USD)	Belize (USD)
2012	—	$322/hr
2015	$204/hr	—
2016	$231/hr	—
2018	$253/hr	—
2022	$279/hr	—
2025	$307/hr	$488/hr

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Peru earns 56% less per hour in USD terms than one in Belize. Standard work weeks differ: Peru mandates 48 hours while Belize mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Peru are $77 vs $113 in Belize.

See this comparison from Belize's perspective: Belize vs Peru

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Peru or Belize?

In Peru, the minimum wage is S/5.89/hr ($1.60 USD). In Belize, it is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). Belize has the higher rate by 56% 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 Peru may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Peru compared to Belize?

The average gross salary in Peru is S/2,200/mo ($597.83 USD), compared to BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD) in Belize. In USD terms, workers in Peru earn approximately 51% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Peru and Belize is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Belize earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Peru.

Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Peru or Belize?

After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Belize can afford more than those in Peru. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3 in Peru and $5 in Belize. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 41% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Peru appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.

How do work hours compare between Peru and Belize?

Peru has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Belize. Workers in Peru work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Belize 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 Peru and Belize?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Peru has the higher GDP per capita at $17,802, which is 1.2x that of Belize at $14,347. From Peru's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.