Key Facts: Tanzania vs Bangladesh Wages
- Tanzania Minimum Wage
- TZS1,010/hr ($0.38 USD)
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage
- ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD)
- Tanzania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TZS650,000 /mo ($244.36 USD)
- Bangladesh Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ৳18,000 /mo ($149.38 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities; Labour Institutions (Minimum Wage for Private Sector) Order, 2025 — Government Notice No. 605A, gazetted 13 October 2025, eff 1 January 2026 (kazi.go.tz PDF) (2026-05-27), Ministry of Labour and Employment / Minimum Wage Board; sectoral structure cross-referenced via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (2026-05-04)
Tanzania
Bangladesh
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Tanzania is roughly 273 times lower than in Bangladesh in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Tanzania at $244/mo compared to $149/mo in Bangladesh. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bangladesh is 2.3x that of Tanzania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Tanzania has lower GDP per capita ($4,221 vs $9,647). Tanzania's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Bangladesh's 3.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Tanzania | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | TZS1,010 $0.38 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | TZS5,833 $2.19 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | TZS175,000 $65.79 | ৳12,500 $103.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | TZS2,100,000 $789.47 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | TZS650,000 /mo $244.36 | ৳18,000 /mo $149.38 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | TZS520,000 /mo $195.49 | ৳17,000 /mo $141.08 |
| Median individual income /yr | TZS2,400,000 /yr $902.26 | ৳108,000 /yr $896.27 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Tanzania is higher.
Work Week
- Tanzania
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment and Labour Relations Act sets ordinary working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or various combinations not exceeding 45). Overtime: 150% of normal rate. Public holiday work: 200%. Maximum overtime is 50 hours in any 4-week cycle. Night work restrictions apply to pregnant women and young persons.
- Bangladesh
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Bangladesh Labour Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 60 hours/week. Overtime paid at double the basic wage. Factories must provide one day off per week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Tanzania earns 27220% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bangladesh. Standard work weeks differ: Tanzania mandates 45 hours while Bangladesh mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Tanzania are $17 vs $4,979 in Bangladesh.
See this comparison from Bangladesh's perspective: Bangladesh vs Tanzania
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Tanzania or Bangladesh?
In Tanzania, the minimum wage is TZS1,010/hr ($0.38 USD). In Bangladesh, it is ৳12,500/mo ($103.73 USD). Bangladesh has the higher rate by 27220% 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 Tanzania may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Tanzania compared to Bangladesh?
The average gross salary in Tanzania is TZS650,000/mo ($244.36 USD), compared to ৳18,000/mo ($149.38 USD) in Bangladesh. In USD terms, workers in Tanzania earn approximately 64% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Tanzania and Bangladesh is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Tanzania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bangladesh.
How do work hours compare between Tanzania and Bangladesh?
Bangladesh has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Tanzania. Workers in Tanzania work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Tanzania 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 Tanzania and Bangladesh?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bangladesh has the higher GDP per capita at $9,647, which is 2.3x that of Tanzania at $4,221. From Tanzania's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.