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Key Facts: Timor-Leste vs Bolivia Wages

Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
$115/mo
Bolivia Minimum Wage
Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD)
Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$350 /mo ($350 USD)
Bolivia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Bs4,200 /mo ($607.81 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social; 2024 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-05-01) (2026-05-04)

Timor-Leste flag Timor-Leste Bolivia flag Bolivia

Updated 2026-05-04

Timor-Leste flag Timor-Leste

Minimum Wage

$115 /mo

Avg. Gross Salary

$350 /mo

Bolivia flag Bolivia

Minimum Wage

Bs13.02 /hr

$1.88 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Bs4,200 /mo

Min wage: +6003% Timor-Leste vs Bolivia Avg. salary: -42% Timor-Leste vs Bolivia

The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is roughly 61 times higher than in Bolivia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Timor-Leste at $350/mo compared to $608/mo in Bolivia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bolivia is 2.9x that of Timor-Leste, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Timor-Leste has lower GDP per capita ($4,423 vs $12,878). Timor-Leste's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Bolivia's 3.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Timor-Leste and Bolivia
Metric Timor-Leste Bolivia
Minimum wage /hr Bs13.02 $1.88
Minimum wage /day Bs83.33 $12.06
Minimum wage /mo $115 Bs2,500 $361.79
Minimum wage /yr $1,380 Bs32,500 $4,703.33
Avg. gross salary /mo $350 /mo Bs4,200 /mo $607.81
Avg. net salary /mo $330 /mo Bs3,780 /mo $547.03
Median individual income /yr $1,500 /yr Bs21,600 /yr $3,125.90

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.

Bolivia

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

General Labour Law (Ley General del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 40 hours for night work, and 44 for mixed shifts. Overtime is paid at 100% surcharge (double pay). Sunday is the mandatory rest day.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Bolivia to Timor-Leste would see a 6003% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Timor-Leste mandates 40 hours while Bolivia mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Timor-Leste are $4,600 vs $90 in Bolivia.

See this comparison from Bolivia's perspective: Bolivia vs Timor-Leste

Compare Timor-Leste with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Timor-Leste or Bolivia?

In Timor-Leste, the minimum wage is $115/mo. In Bolivia, it is Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD). Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 6003% 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 Bolivia 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 Bolivia?

The average gross salary in Timor-Leste is $350/mo, compared to Bs4,200/mo ($607.81 USD) in Bolivia. In USD terms, workers in Timor-Leste earn approximately 74% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Timor-Leste and Bolivia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bolivia 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 Bolivia?

Bolivia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Timor-Leste. Workers in Timor-Leste work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Timor-Leste 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 Timor-Leste and Bolivia?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bolivia has the higher GDP per capita at $12,878, which is 2.9x 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.