Skip to main content

Key Facts: Timor-Leste vs North Macedonia Wages

Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
$115/mo
North Macedonia Minimum Wage
ден207/hr ($3.95 USD)
Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$350 /mo ($350 USD)
North Macedonia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
ден55,000 /mo ($1,050.62 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia (2026-02-25)

Timor-Leste flag Timor-Leste North Macedonia flag North Macedonia

Updated 2026-02-25

Timor-Leste flag Timor-Leste

Minimum Wage

$115 /mo

Avg. Gross Salary

$350 /mo

North Macedonia flag North Macedonia

Minimum Wage

ден207 /hr

$3.95 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ден55,000 /mo

Min wage: +2808% Timor-Leste vs North Macedonia Avg. salary: -67% Timor-Leste vs North Macedonia

The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is roughly 29 times higher than in North Macedonia 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 $1,051/mo in North Macedonia, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in North Macedonia is 6.1x that of Timor-Leste, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Timor-Leste has lower GDP per capita ($4,423 vs $26,995). Timor-Leste's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to North Macedonia's 12.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Timor-Leste and North Macedonia
Metric Timor-Leste North Macedonia
Minimum wage /hr ден207 $3.95
Minimum wage /mo $115 ден36,037 $688.39
Minimum wage /yr $1,380 ден432,444 $8,260.63
Avg. gross salary /mo $350 /mo ден55,000 /mo $1,050.62
Avg. net salary /mo $330 /mo ден38,000 /mo $725.88
Median individual income /yr $1,500 /yr ден264,000 /yr $5,042.98

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.

North Macedonia

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.35x pay

Labour Relations Law sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week, up to 190 hours per year. Overtime premium at least 35%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 35%. Work on rest days and holidays at least 50% premium.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from North Macedonia to Timor-Leste would see a 2808% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

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

Compare Timor-Leste with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Timor-Leste or North Macedonia?

In Timor-Leste, the minimum wage is $115/mo. In North Macedonia, it is ден207/hr ($3.95 USD). Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 2808% 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 North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?

The average gross salary in Timor-Leste is $350/mo, compared to ден55,000/mo ($1,050.62 USD) in North Macedonia. In USD terms, workers in Timor-Leste earn approximately 200% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Timor-Leste and North Macedonia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?

Both Timor-Leste and North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. North Macedonia has the higher GDP per capita at $26,995, which is 6.1x 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.