Key Facts: Singapore vs Iran Wages
- Singapore Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Iran Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Singapore Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S$5,800 /mo ($4,539.05 USD)
- Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2026-06-01), Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04)
Singapore
Iran
Updated 2026-06-01
Singapore has no statutory minimum wage, while Iran sets a floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,539/mo in Singapore versus $588/mo in Iran, a 7.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Singapore is 7.6x that of Iran, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Singapore has higher GDP per capita ($150,689 vs $19,874). Singapore's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Iran's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Singapore | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | ﷼692,731 $1.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | S$5,800 /mo $4,539.05 | ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | S$4,930 /mo $3,858.19 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | S$66,000 /yr $51,651.28 | ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Singapore is higher.
Work Week
- Singapore
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act caps at 44 hours/week (8 hrs/day for 5-day week, or 9 hrs/day for fewer days). Overtime pay at 1.5x hourly basic rate, applies to non-workmen earning up to SGD 2,600/mo and workmen earning up to SGD 4,500/mo. Maximum overtime: 72 hours/month.
- Iran
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.
See this comparison from Iran's perspective: Iran vs Singapore
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Singapore or Iran?
In Singapore, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Iran, it is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Singapore compared to Iran?
The average gross salary in Singapore is S$5,800/mo ($4,539.05 USD), compared to ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD) in Iran. In USD terms, workers in Singapore earn approximately 672% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Singapore and Iran is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Singapore earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Iran.
How do work hours compare between Singapore and Iran?
Both Singapore and Iran mandate a similar standard work week of 44 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 Singapore and Iran?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Singapore has the higher GDP per capita at $150,689, which is 7.6x that of Iran at $19,874. From Singapore'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.