Key Facts: Timor-Leste vs Barbados Wages
- Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
- $115/mo
- Barbados Minimum Wage
- Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD)
- Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Barbados Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bds$3,900 /mo ($1,950 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector — Barbados (2026-02-25)
Timor-Leste
Barbados
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is roughly 21 times higher than in Barbados in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $350/mo in Timor-Leste versus $1,950/mo in Barbados, a 5.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Barbados is 5.6x that of Timor-Leste, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Timor-Leste has lower GDP per capita ($4,423 vs $24,823). Timor-Leste's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Barbados' 6.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Timor-Leste | Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Bds$10.71 $5.36 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $115 | Bds$1,855.07 $927.54 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $1,380 | Bds$22,260.80 $11,130.40 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $350 /mo | Bds$3,900 /mo $1,950 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $330 /mo | Bds$3,120 /mo $1,560 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,500 /yr | Bds$28,000 /yr $14,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Timor-Leste is higher.
Work Week
- Timor-Leste
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 52 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Timor-Leste Labour Code sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 52 hours. Overtime is compensated at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays and Sundays is at 2x.
- Barbados
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). The Shops Act allows up to 48 hours in some retail sectors. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Work on Sundays and public holidays typically paid at 2x the regular rate.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Barbados to Timor-Leste would see a 2048% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Barbados's perspective: Barbados vs Timor-Leste
Compare Timor-Leste with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Timor-Leste or Barbados?
In Timor-Leste, the minimum wage is $115/mo. In Barbados, it is Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD). Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 2048% 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 Barbados may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Timor-Leste compared to Barbados?
The average gross salary in Timor-Leste is $350/mo, compared to Bds$3,900/mo ($1,950 USD) in Barbados. In USD terms, workers in Timor-Leste earn approximately 457% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Timor-Leste and Barbados is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Barbados earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Timor-Leste.
How do work hours compare between Timor-Leste and Barbados?
Both Timor-Leste and Barbados mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Timor-Leste and Barbados?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Barbados has the higher GDP per capita at $24,823, which is 5.6x that of Timor-Leste at $4,423. From Timor-Leste'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.