Key Facts: Tunisia vs Chile Wages
- Tunisia Minimum Wage
- TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD)
- Chile Minimum Wage
- CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD)
- Tunisia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TND1,200 /mo ($383.39 USD)
- Chile Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CLP750,000 /mo ($816.99 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministère des Affaires Sociales / SMIG/SMAG decrees (2026-02-24), Dirección del Trabajo / Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social; 2026 rate per Ley 21.751 (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-27)
Tunisia
Chile
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Tunisia is 77% lower than in Chile in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $383/mo in Tunisia versus $817/mo in Chile, a 2.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Chile is 2.5x that of Tunisia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Tunisia's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Tunisia's minimum wage buys less than Chile's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Tunisia is $3 international dollars, compared to $7 in Chile. Tunisia has lower GDP per capita ($14,521 vs $36,181). Tunisia's unemployment rate is 15.1% compared to Chile's 9.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Tunisia | Chile |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | TND2.31 $0.74 | CLP2,994 $3.26 |
| Minimum wage /day | TND16 $5.11 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | TND480 $153.35 | CLP539,000 $587.15 |
| Minimum wage /yr | TND5,760 $1,840.26 | CLP7,007,000 $7,632.90 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | TND1,200 /mo $383.39 | CLP750,000 /mo $816.99 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | TND1,020 /mo $325.88 | CLP622,500 /mo $678.10 |
| Median individual income /yr | TND7,200 /yr $2,300.32 | CLP6,000,000 /yr $6,535.95 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Tunisia is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- Chile
-
43 hrs/wk standard
Max 43 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Tunisia earns 342% less per hour in USD terms than one in Chile. Standard work weeks differ: Tunisia mandates 48 hours while Chile mandates 43 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Tunisia are $35 vs $140 in Chile.
See this comparison from Chile's perspective: Chile vs Tunisia
Compare Tunisia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Tunisia or Chile?
In Tunisia, the minimum wage is TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD). In Chile, it is CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD). Chile has the higher rate by 342% 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 Tunisia compared to Chile?
The average gross salary in Tunisia is TND1,200/mo ($383.39 USD), compared to CLP750,000/mo ($816.99 USD) in Chile. In USD terms, workers in Tunisia earn approximately 113% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Tunisia and Chile is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Chile earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Tunisia.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Tunisia or Chile?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Chile can afford more than those in Tunisia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3 in Tunisia and $7 in Chile. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 168% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Tunisia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Tunisia and Chile?
Tunisia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 43 hours in Chile. Workers in Tunisia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Chile 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 Tunisia and Chile?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Chile has the higher GDP per capita at $36,181, which is 2.5x that of Tunisia at $14,521. From Tunisia'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.