Key Facts: Timor-Leste vs Myanmar Wages
- Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
- $115/mo
- Myanmar Minimum Wage
- K975/hr ($0.46 USD)
- Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Myanmar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- K450,000 /mo ($214.29 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25), National Committee for Setting up the Minimum Wage — Myanmar (2026-02-25)
Timor-Leste
Myanmar
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is roughly 248 times higher than in Myanmar in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Timor-Leste at $350/mo compared to $214/mo in Myanmar.
Timor-Leste has lower GDP per capita ($4,423 vs $5,997). Timor-Leste's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Myanmar's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Timor-Leste | Myanmar |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | K975 $0.46 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | K7,800 $3.71 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $115 | K202,800 $96.57 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $1,380 | K2,433,600 $1,158.86 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $350 /mo | K450,000 /mo $214.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $330 /mo | K400,000 /mo $190.48 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,500 /yr | K1,800,000 /yr $857.14 |
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.
- Myanmar
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act sets normal working hours at 44 hours per week for factories. Shops and Establishments Law allows up to 48 hours. Overtime is paid at double the normal rate.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Myanmar to Timor-Leste would see a 24669% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Timor-Leste mandates 40 hours while Myanmar mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Timor-Leste are $4,600 vs $20 in Myanmar.
See this comparison from Myanmar's perspective: Myanmar vs Timor-Leste
Compare Timor-Leste with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Timor-Leste or Myanmar?
In Timor-Leste, the minimum wage is $115/mo. In Myanmar, it is K975/hr ($0.46 USD). Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 24669% 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 Myanmar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Timor-Leste compared to Myanmar?
The average gross salary in Timor-Leste is $350/mo, compared to K450,000/mo ($214.29 USD) in Myanmar. In USD terms, workers in Timor-Leste earn approximately 63% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Timor-Leste and Myanmar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Timor-Leste earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Myanmar.
How do work hours compare between Timor-Leste and Myanmar?
Myanmar has a longer standard work week at 44 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 Myanmar?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Myanmar has the higher GDP per capita at $5,997, which is 1.4x 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.