Key Facts: Philippines vs Brazil Wages
- Philippines Minimum Wage
- ₱18,070/mo ($293.13 USD)
- Brazil Minimum Wage
- R$7.37/hr ($1.42 USD)
- Philippines Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₱20,000 /mo ($324.44 USD)
- Brazil Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- R$3,200 /mo ($616.88 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), Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment (2026-03-02)
Philippines
Brazil
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in the Philippines is roughly 206 times higher than in Brazil in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in the Philippines at $324/mo compared to $617/mo in Brazil. GDP per capita (PPP) in Brazil is 1.9x that of Philippines, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Philippines has lower GDP per capita ($11,794 vs $22,338). The Philippines' unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to Brazil's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Philippines | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | R$7.37 $1.42 |
| Minimum wage /day | ₱695 $11.27 | R$54.04 $10.42 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₱18,070 $293.13 | R$1,621 $312.49 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₱234,910 $3,810.69 | R$21,073 $4,062.34 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₱20,000 /mo $324.44 | R$3,200 /mo $616.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₱17,600 /mo $285.51 | R$2,700 /mo $520.49 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₱156,000 /yr $2,530.62 | R$22,800 /yr $4,395.27 |
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.
- Brazil
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Constitutional limit of 44 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Overtime minimum 50% premium (often higher by collective agreement). Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Brazil to the Philippines would see a 20532% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Philippines mandates 48 hours while Brazil mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Philippines are $14,070 vs $63 in Brazil.
See this comparison from Brazil's perspective: Brazil vs Philippines
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Philippines or Brazil?
In the Philippines, the minimum wage is ₱18,070/mo ($293.13 USD). In Brazil, it is R$7.37/hr ($1.42 USD). Philippines has the higher rate by 20532% 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 Brazil 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 Brazil?
The average gross salary in the Philippines is ₱20,000/mo ($324.44 USD), compared to R$3,200/mo ($616.88 USD) in Brazil. In USD terms, workers in the Philippines earn approximately 90% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Philippines and Brazil is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brazil 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 Brazil?
Philippines has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Brazil. Workers in the Philippines work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Brazil 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 Brazil?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Brazil has the higher GDP per capita at $22,338, which is 1.9x 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.