Key Facts: Romania vs India Wages
- Romania Minimum Wage
- lei24.36/hr ($5.40 USD)
- India Minimum Wage
- ₹4,628/mo ($48.72 USD)
- Romania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- lei7,200 /mo ($1,596.24 USD)
- India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of Romania (2026-02-24), India Chief Labour Commissioner / Ministry of Labour & Employment (National Floor Level Minimum Wage), verified 2026-06-08 (2026-06-08)
Romania
India
Updated 2026-06-08
The minimum wage in Romania is roughly 9 times lower than in India in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,596/mo in Romania versus $336/mo in India, a 4.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Romania is 4.4x that of India, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Romania has higher GDP per capita ($49,077 vs $11,160). Romania's unemployment rate is 6.0% compared to India's 4.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Romania | India |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | lei24.36 $5.40 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₹178 $1.87 |
| Minimum wage /mo | lei4,050 $897.88 | ₹4,628 $48.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | lei48,600 $10,774.62 | ₹55,536 $584.65 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | lei7,200 /mo $1,596.24 | ₹31,900 /mo $335.82 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | lei4,500 /mo $997.65 | ₹27,500 /mo $289.50 |
| Median individual income /yr | lei40,000 /yr $8,868.00 | ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Romania is higher.
Work Week
- Romania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.75x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days, maximum 8 hours/day. Overtime premium is at least 75% of base salary. Maximum 48 hours/week including overtime, averaged over a 4-month reference period.
- India
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act sets 48 hours/week, 9 hours/day. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. New Labour Codes (when implemented) may standardize at 48 hours across 4-6 day weeks.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Romania earns 802% less per hour in USD terms than one in India. Standard work weeks differ: Romania mandates 40 hours while India mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Romania are $216 vs $2,339 in India.
See this comparison from India's perspective: India vs Romania
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Romania or India?
In Romania, the minimum wage is lei24.36/hr ($5.40 USD). In India, it is ₹4,628/mo ($48.72 USD). India has the higher rate by 802% 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 Romania may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Romania compared to India?
The average gross salary in Romania is lei7,200/mo ($1,596.24 USD), compared to ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD) in India. In USD terms, workers in Romania earn approximately 375% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Romania and India is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Romania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in India.
How do work hours compare between Romania and India?
India has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Romania. Workers in Romania work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Romania 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 Romania and India?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Romania has the higher GDP per capita at $49,077, which is 4.4x that of India at $11,160. From Romania'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.