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Key Facts: Timor-Leste vs Tunisia Wages

Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
$115/mo
Tunisia Minimum Wage
TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD)
Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$350 /mo ($350 USD)
Tunisia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
TND1,200 /mo ($383.39 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministère des Affaires Sociales / SMIG/SMAG decrees (2026-02-24)

Timor-Leste flag Timor-Leste Tunisia flag Tunisia

Updated 2026-02-25

Timor-Leste flag Timor-Leste

Minimum Wage

$115 /mo

Avg. Gross Salary

$350 /mo

Tunisia flag Tunisia

Minimum Wage

TND2.31 /hr

$0.74 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

TND1,200 /mo

Min wage: +15489% Timor-Leste vs Tunisia Avg. salary: -9% Timor-Leste vs Tunisia

The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is roughly 156 times higher than in Tunisia 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 $383/mo in Tunisia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Tunisia is 3.3x that of Timor-Leste, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Timor-Leste has lower GDP per capita ($4,423 vs $14,521). Timor-Leste's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Tunisia's 15.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Timor-Leste and Tunisia
Metric Timor-Leste Tunisia
Minimum wage /hr TND2.31 $0.74
Minimum wage /day TND16 $5.11
Minimum wage /mo $115 TND480 $153.35
Minimum wage /yr $1,380 TND5,760 $1,840.26
Avg. gross salary /mo $350 /mo TND1,200 /mo $383.39
Avg. net salary /mo $330 /mo TND1,020 /mo $325.88
Median individual income /yr $1,500 /yr TND7,200 /yr $2,300.32

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.

Tunisia

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.75x pay

Labour Code allows both 48-hour and 40-hour regimes depending on sector and collective agreements. Most industrial/services workers are on 48 hours. Overtime surcharge: 75% for daytime hours beyond standard. Night and holiday overtime receive higher premiums. The 40-hour regime is increasingly common in services and offices.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Tunisia to Timor-Leste would see a 15489% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Timor-Leste mandates 40 hours while Tunisia mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Timor-Leste are $4,600 vs $35 in Tunisia.

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

Compare Timor-Leste with...

Frequently Asked Questions

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

In Timor-Leste, the minimum wage is $115/mo. In Tunisia, it is TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD). Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 15489% 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 Tunisia 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 Tunisia?

The average gross salary in Timor-Leste is $350/mo, compared to TND1,200/mo ($383.39 USD) in Tunisia. In USD terms, workers in Timor-Leste earn approximately 10% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Timor-Leste and Tunisia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Tunisia 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 Tunisia?

Tunisia 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 Tunisia?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Tunisia has the higher GDP per capita at $14,521, which is 3.3x 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.