Key Facts: Timor-Leste vs Ireland Wages
- Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
- $115/mo
- Ireland Minimum Wage
- €14.15/hr ($16.48 USD)
- Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Ireland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €4,350 /mo ($5,065.80 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25), Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) (2026-03-02)
Timor-Leste
Ireland
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is roughly 7 times higher than in Ireland 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 $5,066/mo in Ireland, a 14.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Ireland is 30.2x that of Timor-Leste, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Timor-Leste has lower GDP per capita ($4,423 vs $133,437). Timor-Leste's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Ireland's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Timor-Leste | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | €14.15 $16.48 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $115 | €2,452.62 $2,856.20 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $1,380 | €29,432 $34,275.07 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $350 /mo | €4,350 /mo $5,065.80 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $330 /mo | €3,100 /mo $3,610.11 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,500 /yr | €40,000 /yr $46,582.04 |
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.
- Ireland
-
39 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
There is no single statutory standard workweek; 39 hours is the most common. The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 limits average weekly hours to 48 over a 4-month reference period. There is no statutory overtime rate; overtime pay is determined by employment contract or collective agreement.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ireland to Timor-Leste would see a 598% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Timor-Leste mandates 40 hours while Ireland mandates 39 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Timor-Leste are $4,600 vs $643 in Ireland.
See this comparison from Ireland's perspective: Ireland vs Timor-Leste
Compare Timor-Leste with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Timor-Leste or Ireland?
In Timor-Leste, the minimum wage is $115/mo. In Ireland, it is €14.15/hr ($16.48 USD). Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 598% 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 Ireland 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 Ireland?
The average gross salary in Timor-Leste is $350/mo, compared to €4,350/mo ($5,065.80 USD) in Ireland. In USD terms, workers in Timor-Leste earn approximately 1347% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Timor-Leste and Ireland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ireland 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 Ireland?
Timor-Leste has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 39 hours in Ireland. Workers in Timor-Leste work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ireland 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 Ireland?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Ireland has the higher GDP per capita at $133,437, which is 30.2x 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.