Key Facts: Taiwan vs Netherlands Wages
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Netherlands Minimum Wage
- €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- Netherlands Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24), Rijksoverheid (Government of the Netherlands); 2026 monthly basis verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (40-hour workweek convention) (2026-05-27)
Taiwan 
Netherlands
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Taiwan is 64% lower than in the Netherlands in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,865/mo in Taiwan versus $4,542/mo in the Netherlands, a 2.4:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Taiwan | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | NT$190 $6.11 | €14.71 $17.13 |
| Minimum wage /mo | NT$28,590 $919.29 | €2,549.73 $2,969.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 | €30,596.76 $35,631.49 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 | €2,750 /mo $3,202.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 | €36,500 /yr $42,506.11 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Taiwan is higher.
Work Week
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
- Netherlands
-
36 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek varies by sector: commonly 36, 38, or 40 hours. The Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) limits working time to 12 hours per shift and 60 hours per week, averaged to a maximum of 48 hours over 16 weeks. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements or individual contracts.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Taiwan earns 180% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Netherlands. Standard work weeks differ: Taiwan mandates 40 hours while the Netherlands mandates 36 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Taiwan are $244 vs $617 in the Netherlands.
See this comparison from Netherlands's perspective: Netherlands vs Taiwan
Compare Taiwan with...
Taiwan vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Taiwan vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Taiwan vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Taiwan vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Taiwan vs India ₹ 4,628 /mo 
Taiwan vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Taiwan vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Taiwan vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Taiwan vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Taiwan vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Taiwan vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Taiwan vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Taiwan vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Taiwan vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Taiwan vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Taiwan vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Taiwan vs Switzerland 
Taiwan vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Taiwan vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Taiwan vs Sweden 
Taiwan vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Taiwan vs Singapore 
Taiwan vs Norway 
Taiwan vs Austria Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Taiwan or Netherlands?
In Taiwan, the minimum wage is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). In the Netherlands, it is €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD). Netherlands has the higher rate by 180% 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 Taiwan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Taiwan compared to Netherlands?
The average gross salary in Taiwan is NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD), compared to €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD) in the Netherlands. In USD terms, workers in Taiwan earn approximately 144% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Taiwan and Netherlands is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Netherlands earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Taiwan.
How do work hours compare between Taiwan and Netherlands?
Taiwan has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 36 hours in the Netherlands. Workers in Taiwan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Netherlands 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.