Key Facts: Serbia vs Timor-Leste Wages
- Serbia Minimum Wage
- RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD)
- Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
- $115/mo
- Serbia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RSD110,000 /mo ($1,023.26 USD)
- Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (2026-02-24), Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25)
Serbia
Timor-Leste
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Serbia is roughly 46 times lower than in Timor-Leste in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,023/mo in Serbia versus $350/mo in Timor-Leste, a 2.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Serbia is 7.4x that of Timor-Leste, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Serbia has higher GDP per capita ($32,832 vs $4,423). Serbia's unemployment rate is 7.1% compared to Timor-Leste's 1.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Serbia | Timor-Leste |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RSD271 $2.52 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | RSD2,168 $20.17 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | RSD47,000 $437.21 | $115 |
| Minimum wage /yr | RSD564,000 $5,246.51 | $1,380 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RSD110,000 /mo $1,023.26 | $350 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RSD80,000 /mo $744.19 | $330 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | RSD600,000 /yr $5,581.40 | $1,500 /yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Serbia is higher.
Work Week
- Serbia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.26x pay
Labour Law sets full-time working hours at 40/week. Overtime: minimum 26% surcharge. Night work (22:00-06:00): minimum 26% surcharge. Holiday work: minimum 110% surcharge. Maximum overtime is 8 hours/week. Reduced working hours (36 or fewer) for hazardous occupations.
- Timor-Leste
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 52 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Timor-Leste Labour Code sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 52 hours. Overtime is compensated at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays and Sundays is at 2x.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Serbia earns 4462% less per hour in USD terms than one in Timor-Leste.
See this comparison from Timor-Leste's perspective: Timor-Leste vs Serbia
Compare Serbia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Serbia or Timor-Leste?
In Serbia, the minimum wage is RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD). In Timor-Leste, it is $115/mo. Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 4462% 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 Serbia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Serbia compared to Timor-Leste?
The average gross salary in Serbia is RSD110,000/mo ($1,023.26 USD), compared to $350/mo in Timor-Leste. In USD terms, workers in Serbia earn approximately 192% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Serbia and Timor-Leste is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Serbia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Timor-Leste.
How do work hours compare between Serbia and Timor-Leste?
Both Serbia and Timor-Leste mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Serbia and Timor-Leste?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Serbia has the higher GDP per capita at $32,832, which is 7.4x that of Timor-Leste at $4,423. From Serbia'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.