Key Facts: Thailand vs Benin Wages
- Thailand Minimum Wage
- ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD)
- Benin Minimum Wage
- CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD)
- Thailand Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ฿15,700 /mo ($482.26 USD)
- Benin Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour / National Wage Committee (2026-05-27), Ministry of Labour and Public Service / ILO (2026-02-25)
Thailand
Benin
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Thailand is roughly 593 times higher than in Benin in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $482/mo in Thailand versus $215/mo in Benin, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Thailand is 5.6x that of Benin, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Thailand has higher GDP per capita ($24,712 vs $4,435). Thailand's unemployment rate is 0.8% compared to Benin's 1.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Thailand | Benin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CFA300 $0.54 |
| Minimum wage /day | ฿400 $12.29 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ฿10,400 $319.46 | CFA52,000 $93.36 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ฿124,800 $3,833.51 | CFA624,000 $1,120.29 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ฿15,700 /mo $482.26 | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ฿14,915 /mo $458.15 | CFA100,000 /mo $179.53 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | CFA480,000 /yr $861.76 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Thailand is higher.
Work Week
- Thailand
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Protection Act sets maximum 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week for general work (42 hours for hazardous work). Overtime at 1.5x base rate. Holiday work at 1x additional. Holiday overtime at 3x. Employees cannot be forced to work more than 36 overtime hours per week.
- Benin
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.12x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours for non-agricultural sectors (48 hours for agriculture). Overtime from 41-48 hours paid at 112% of normal rate; hours exceeding 48 paid at 135%. Night work and weekend overtime carry higher premiums.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Benin to Thailand would see a 59213% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Thailand mandates 48 hours while Benin mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Thailand are $15,334 vs $22 in Benin.
See this comparison from Benin's perspective: Benin vs Thailand
Compare Thailand with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Thailand or Benin?
In Thailand, the minimum wage is ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD). In Benin, it is CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD). Thailand has the higher rate by 59213% 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 Benin may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Thailand compared to Benin?
The average gross salary in Thailand is ฿15,700/mo ($482.26 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Benin. In USD terms, workers in Thailand earn approximately 124% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Thailand and Benin is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Thailand earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Benin.
How do work hours compare between Thailand and Benin?
Thailand has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Benin. Workers in Thailand work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Benin 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 Thailand and Benin?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Thailand has the higher GDP per capita at $24,712, which is 5.6x that of Benin at $4,435. From Thailand'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.