Key Facts: Taiwan vs Pakistan Wages
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- Pakistan Minimum Wage
- ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- Pakistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₨39,042 /mo ($140.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24), Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development; FY2025-26 federal budget confirmed minimum wage UNCHANGED at PKR 37,000/month (no increase despite high inflation; Federal Government Grade 1-16 employees received separate 10% pay rise that does not affect minimum wage). Verified via Brecorder (brecorder.com/news/minimum-wage-to-remain-unchanged-at-rs37000-in-fy26). (2026-05-04)
Taiwan 
Pakistan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Taiwan is roughly 11 times higher than in Pakistan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,865/mo in Taiwan versus $140/mo in Pakistan, a 13.3:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Taiwan | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | NT$190 $6.11 | ₨160 $0.57 |
| Minimum wage /mo | NT$28,590 $919.29 | ₨37,000 $132.85 |
| Minimum wage /yr | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 | ₨444,000 $1,594.25 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 | ₨39,042 /mo $140.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 | ₨35,138 /mo $126.17 |
| Median individual income /yr | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 | ₨403,200 /yr $1,447.76 |
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).
- Pakistan
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act 1934 sets standard at 48 hours/week (9 hrs/day). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. Shops and Establishments ordinances vary by province.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Pakistan to Taiwan would see a 963% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Taiwan mandates 40 hours while Pakistan mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Taiwan are $244 vs $28 in Pakistan.
See this comparison from Pakistan's perspective: Pakistan vs Taiwan
Compare Taiwan with...
Taiwan vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Taiwan vs China ¥ 25 /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$ 26.44 /hr 
Taiwan vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Taiwan vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Taiwan vs Netherlands € 14.71 /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 Sweden 
Taiwan vs Singapore 
Taiwan vs Austria 
Taiwan vs Malaysia RM 8.72 /hr 
Taiwan vs Denmark 
Taiwan vs Israel ₪ 35.4 /hr 
Taiwan vs New Zealand NZ$ 23.95 /hr 
Taiwan vs Philippines ₱ 18,070 /mo Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Taiwan or Pakistan?
In Taiwan, the minimum wage is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). In Pakistan, it is ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD). Taiwan has the higher rate by 963% 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 Pakistan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Taiwan compared to Pakistan?
The average gross salary in Taiwan is NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD), compared to ₨39,042/mo ($140.19 USD) in Pakistan. In USD terms, workers in Taiwan earn approximately 1230% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Taiwan and Pakistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Taiwan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Pakistan.
How do work hours compare between Taiwan and Pakistan?
Pakistan has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Taiwan. Workers in Taiwan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Taiwan 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.