Peru Italy

Updated 2026-05-27

Peru

Minimum Wage

S/5.89 /hr

$1.60 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

S/2,200 /mo

Italy

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

€2,600 /mo

Avg. salary: -80% Peru vs Italy

Unlike Italy, which has no statutory minimum wage, Peru mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $598/mo in Peru versus $3,028/mo in Italy, a 5.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Italy is 3.5x that of Peru, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Peru has lower GDP per capita ($17,802 vs $62,014). Peru's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Italy's 6.4%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Peru and Italy
Metric	Peru	Italy	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	S/5.89 $1.60	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	S/1,130 $307.07	None	—
Minimum wage /yr	S/15,820 $4,298.91	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	S/2,200 /mo $597.83	€2,600 /mo $3,027.83	-80.3%
Avg. net salary /mo	S/1,870 /mo $508.15	€1,850 /mo $2,154.42	-76.4%
Median individual income /yr	S/15,600 /yr $4,239.13	€22,500 /yr $26,202.40	-83.8%

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.
Italy: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Standard workweek is 40 hours (Legislative Decree 66/2003). Maximum average weekly hours including overtime is 48 hours over a 4-month reference period, per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime compensation is regulated by collective agreements, typically 15-30% surcharge depending on hours and sector.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Peru mandates 48 hours while Italy mandates 40 hours.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Peru or Italy?

In Peru, the minimum wage is S/5.89/hr ($1.60 USD). In Italy, it is no statutory minimum wage.

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

The average gross salary in Peru is S/2,200/mo ($597.83 USD), compared to €2,600/mo ($3,027.83 USD) in Italy. In USD terms, workers in Peru earn approximately 406% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Peru and Italy is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Italy earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Peru.

How do work hours compare between Peru and Italy?

Peru has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Italy. Workers in Peru work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Italy 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 Italy?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Italy has the higher GDP per capita at $62,014, which is 3.5x that of Peru at $17,802. From Peru'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.