Key Facts: Singapore vs Italy Wages
- Singapore Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Italy Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Singapore Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S$5,800 /mo ($4,539.05 USD)
- Italy Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,600 /mo ($3,027.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2026-06-01), Ministry of Labour and Social Policies (Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali) (2026-02-24)
Singapore
Italy
Updated 2026-06-01
Neither Singapore nor Italy has a statutory minimum wage, relying instead on collective bargaining or sectoral agreements. Average salaries are higher in Singapore at $4,539/mo compared to $3,028/mo in Italy. GDP per capita (PPP) in Singapore is 2.4x that of Italy, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Singapore has higher GDP per capita ($150,689 vs $62,014). Singapore's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Italy's 6.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Singapore | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. gross salary /mo | S$5,800 /mo $4,539.05 | €2,600 /mo $3,027.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | S$4,930 /mo $3,858.19 | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 |
| Median individual income /yr | S$66,000 /yr $51,651.28 | €22,500 /yr $26,202.40 |
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.
- Italy
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Legislative Decree 66/2003). Maximum average weekly hours including overtime is 48 hours over a 4-month reference period, per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime compensation is regulated by collective agreements, typically 15-30% surcharge depending on hours and sector.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Singapore mandates 44 hours while Italy mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Italy's perspective: Italy vs Singapore
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much more does the average worker earn in Singapore compared to Italy?
The average gross salary in Singapore is S$5,800/mo ($4,539.05 USD), compared to €2,600/mo ($3,027.83 USD) in Italy. In USD terms, workers in Singapore earn approximately 50% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Singapore and Italy 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 Italy.
How do work hours compare between Singapore and Italy?
Singapore has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Italy. Workers in Singapore work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Italy 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 Singapore and Italy?
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 2.4x that of Italy at $62,014. 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.