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Key Facts: Turkmenistan vs Japan Wages

Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
Japan Minimum Wage
¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD)
Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
Japan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
¥398,333 /mo ($2,497.54 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2026-05-23)

Turkmenistan flag Turkmenistan Japan flag Japan

Updated 2026-05-23

Turkmenistan flag Turkmenistan

Minimum Wage

T1,160 /mo

$331.43 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

T2,500 /mo

Japan flag Japan

Minimum Wage

¥1,121 /hr

$7.03 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

¥398,333 /mo

Min wage: +4615% Turkmenistan vs Japan Avg. salary: -71% Turkmenistan vs Japan

The minimum wage in Turkmenistan is roughly 47 times higher than in Japan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $714/mo in Turkmenistan versus $2,498/mo in Japan, a 3.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Japan is 2.5x that of Turkmenistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Turkmenistan has lower GDP per capita ($21,213 vs $52,039). Turkmenistan's unemployment rate is 4.3% compared to Japan's 2.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Turkmenistan and Japan
Metric Turkmenistan Japan
Minimum wage /hr ¥1,121 $7.03
Minimum wage /mo T1,160 $331.43 ¥194,303 $1,218.28
Minimum wage /yr ¥2,331,680 $14,619.60
Avg. gross salary /mo T2,500 /mo $714.29 ¥398,333 /mo $2,497.54
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo ¥290,833 /mo $1,823.52
Median individual income /yr T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 ¥3,620,000 /yr $22,697.35

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Turkmenistan is higher.

Work Week

Turkmenistan

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Code sets 40 hours/week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Saturday and Sunday are rest days. State-sector employees work standard government hours. The gas industry may have different shift arrangements.

Japan

40 hrs/wk standard

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Standards Act sets 40 hrs/week base. Overtime premium 25% (50% over 60 hrs/month). Late night (10pm-5am) adds 25%. Holiday work adds 35%.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Japan to Turkmenistan would see a 4615% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

See this comparison from Japan's perspective: Japan vs Turkmenistan

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Turkmenistan or Japan?

In Turkmenistan, the minimum wage is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). In Japan, it is ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 4615% 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 Japan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Turkmenistan compared to Japan?

The average gross salary in Turkmenistan is T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD), compared to ¥398,333/mo ($2,497.54 USD) in Japan. In USD terms, workers in Turkmenistan earn approximately 250% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkmenistan and Japan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Japan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Turkmenistan.

How do work hours compare between Turkmenistan and Japan?

Both Turkmenistan and Japan 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 Turkmenistan and Japan?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Japan has the higher GDP per capita at $52,039, which is 2.5x that of Turkmenistan at $21,213. From Turkmenistan'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.