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Key Facts: Timor-Leste vs Montenegro Wages

Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
$115/mo
Montenegro Minimum Wage
€3.87/hr ($4.51 USD)
Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$350 /mo ($350 USD)
Montenegro Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€1,200 /mo ($1,397.46 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Montenegro (2026-02-25)

Timor-Leste flag Timor-Leste Montenegro flag Montenegro

Updated 2026-02-25

Timor-Leste flag Timor-Leste

Minimum Wage

$115 /mo

Avg. Gross Salary

$350 /mo

Montenegro flag Montenegro

Minimum Wage

€3.87 /hr

$4.51 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

€1,200 /mo

Min wage: +2452% Timor-Leste vs Montenegro Avg. salary: -75% Timor-Leste vs Montenegro

The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is roughly 26 times higher than in Montenegro in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $350/mo in Timor-Leste versus $1,397/mo in Montenegro, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Montenegro is 7.7x that of Timor-Leste, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Timor-Leste has lower GDP per capita ($4,423 vs $34,063). Timor-Leste's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Montenegro's 13.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Timor-Leste and Montenegro
Metric Timor-Leste Montenegro
Minimum wage /hr €3.87 $4.51
Minimum wage /mo $115 €670 $780.25
Minimum wage /yr $1,380 €8,040 $9,362.99
Avg. gross salary /mo $350 /mo €1,200 /mo $1,397.46
Avg. net salary /mo $330 /mo €1,012 /mo $1,178.53
Median individual income /yr $1,500 /yr €8,400 /yr $9,782.23

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.

Montenegro

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.4x pay

Labour Law sets standard workweek at 40 hours. Overtime limited to 10 hours per week. Overtime premium at least 40%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 40%. Work on rest days premium at least 150%. Holiday work premium at least 150%. EU Working Time Directive limits apply as Montenegro aligns with EU acquis.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Montenegro to Timor-Leste would see a 2452% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

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

Compare Timor-Leste with...

Frequently Asked Questions

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

In Timor-Leste, the minimum wage is $115/mo. In Montenegro, it is €3.87/hr ($4.51 USD). Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 2452% 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 Montenegro 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 Montenegro?

The average gross salary in Timor-Leste is $350/mo, compared to €1,200/mo ($1,397.46 USD) in Montenegro. In USD terms, workers in Timor-Leste earn approximately 299% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Timor-Leste and Montenegro is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Montenegro 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 Montenegro?

Both Timor-Leste and Montenegro 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 Montenegro?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Montenegro has the higher GDP per capita at $34,063, which is 7.7x 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.