Key Facts: Philippines vs Belize Wages
- Philippines Minimum Wage
- ₱18,070/mo ($293.13 USD)
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Philippines Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₱20,000 /mo ($324.44 USD)
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Data Sources
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) / National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC); 2025 figures verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 18 July 2025) (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-07-06)
Philippines
Belize
Updated 2026-07-06
The minimum wage in the Philippines is roughly 117 times higher than in Belize in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $324/mo in the Philippines versus $900/mo in Belize, a 2.8:1 ratio. Philippines has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.2% compared to 8.9%.
The Philippines has lower GDP per capita ($11,794 vs $14,347). The Philippines' unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to Belize's 8.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Philippines | Belize |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | BZ$5 $2.50 |
| Minimum wage /day | ₱695 $11.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₱18,070 $293.13 | BZ$975 $487.50 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₱234,910 $3,810.69 | BZ$11,700 $5,850 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₱20,000 /mo $324.44 | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₱17,600 /mo $285.51 | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₱156,000 /yr $2,530.62 | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Philippines is higher.
Work Week
- Philippines
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labor Code sets normal working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Overtime: 25% premium on regular days, 30% on rest days/holidays. Night shift differential (10pm-6am): 10% additional. Special non-working holidays: 30% premium. Regular holidays: 100% premium.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Belize to the Philippines would see a 11625% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Philippines mandates 48 hours while Belize mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Philippines are $14,070 vs $113 in Belize.
See this comparison from Belize's perspective: Belize vs Philippines
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Philippines or Belize?
In the Philippines, the minimum wage is ₱18,070/mo ($293.13 USD). In Belize, it is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). Philippines has the higher rate by 11625% 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 Belize may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Philippines compared to Belize?
The average gross salary in the Philippines is ₱20,000/mo ($324.44 USD), compared to BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD) in Belize. In USD terms, workers in the Philippines earn approximately 177% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Philippines 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 the Philippines.
How do work hours compare between Philippines and Belize?
Philippines has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Belize. Workers in the Philippines 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 Philippines and Belize?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Belize has the higher GDP per capita at $14,347, which is 1.2x that of Philippines at $11,794. From the Philippines' 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.