Key Facts: Tanzania vs India Wages
- Tanzania Minimum Wage
- TZS1,010/hr ($0.38 USD)
- India Minimum Wage
- ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD)
- Tanzania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TZS650,000 /mo ($244.36 USD)
- India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 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. Central VDA April 2026 update verified via clc.gov.in/clc/min-wages: CPI rose 11.28 points triggering increase in centrally-regulated minimum wages (covers construction, sweeping/cleaning, watch & ward, and other Central Sphere employments). Note: Central VDA does NOT replace state minimum wages — most workers are subject to state-set rates which vary by state and update on different cycles. (2026-05-04)
Tanzania
India
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Tanzania is roughly 127 times lower than in India in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Tanzania at $244/mo compared to $336/mo in India. GDP per capita (PPP) in India is 2.6x that of Tanzania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Tanzania has lower GDP per capita ($4,221 vs $11,160). Tanzania's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to India's 4.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Tanzania | India |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | TZS1,010 $0.38 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | TZS5,833 $2.19 | ₹176 $1.85 |
| Minimum wage /mo | TZS175,000 $65.79 | ₹4,576 $48.17 |
| Minimum wage /yr | TZS2,100,000 $789.47 | ₹54,912 $578.08 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | TZS650,000 /mo $244.36 | ₹31,900 /mo $335.82 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | TZS520,000 /mo $195.49 | ₹27,500 /mo $289.50 |
| Median individual income /yr | TZS2,400,000 /yr $902.26 | ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11 |
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.
- India
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act sets 48 hours/week, 9 hours/day. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. New Labour Codes (when implemented) may standardize at 48 hours across 4-6 day weeks.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Tanzania earns 12587% less per hour in USD terms than one in India. Standard work weeks differ: Tanzania mandates 45 hours while India mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Tanzania are $17 vs $2,312 in India.
See this comparison from India's perspective: India vs Tanzania
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Tanzania or India?
In Tanzania, the minimum wage is TZS1,010/hr ($0.38 USD). In India, it is ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD). India has the higher rate by 12587% 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 less does the average worker earn in Tanzania compared to India?
The average gross salary in Tanzania is TZS650,000/mo ($244.36 USD), compared to ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD) in India. In USD terms, workers in Tanzania earn approximately 37% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Tanzania and India is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in India earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Tanzania.
How do work hours compare between Tanzania and India?
India 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 India?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. India has the higher GDP per capita at $11,160, which is 2.6x 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.