Key Facts: Thailand vs Ukraine Wages
- Thailand Minimum Wage
- ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD)
- Ukraine Minimum Wage
- ₴48/hr ($1.15 USD)
- Thailand Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ฿15,700 /mo ($482.26 USD)
- Ukraine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₴20,000 /mo ($478.47 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour / National Wage Committee (2026-05-27), Ministry of Economy of Ukraine / State Statistics Service (2026-02-24)
Thailand
Ukraine
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Thailand is roughly 278 times higher than in Ukraine in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Thailand at $482/mo compared to $478/mo in Ukraine. Thailand has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 0.8% compared to 9.8%.
Thailand has higher GDP per capita ($24,712 vs $18,550). Thailand's unemployment rate is 0.8% compared to Ukraine's 9.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Thailand | Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₴48 $1.15 |
| Minimum wage /day | ฿400 $12.29 | ₴266.67 $6.38 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ฿10,400 $319.46 | ₴8,000 $191.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ฿124,800 $3,833.51 | ₴96,000 $2,296.65 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ฿15,700 /mo $482.26 | ₴20,000 /mo $478.47 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ฿14,915 /mo $458.15 | ₴16,400 /mo $392.34 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₴120,000 /yr $2,870.81 |
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.
- Ukraine
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Labour Code sets standard working time at 40 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at double the normal rate and limited to 4 hours over 2 consecutive days, 120 hours/year. Under martial law (from Feb 2022), employers may increase working hours to 60/week and suspend certain labour protections with government approval.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ukraine to Thailand would see a 27720% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Thailand mandates 48 hours while Ukraine mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Thailand are $15,334 vs $46 in Ukraine.
See this comparison from Ukraine's perspective: Ukraine vs Thailand
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Thailand or Ukraine?
In Thailand, the minimum wage is ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD). In Ukraine, it is ₴48/hr ($1.15 USD). Thailand has the higher rate by 27720% 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 Ukraine 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 Ukraine?
The average gross salary in Thailand is ฿15,700/mo ($482.26 USD), compared to ₴20,000/mo ($478.47 USD) in Ukraine. In USD terms, workers in Thailand earn approximately 1% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Thailand and Ukraine 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 Ukraine.
How do work hours compare between Thailand and Ukraine?
Thailand has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Ukraine. Workers in Thailand work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ukraine 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 Ukraine?
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 1.3x that of Ukraine at $18,550. 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.