Key Facts: Turkmenistan vs Nepal Wages
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- Nepal Minimum Wage
- Rs112.81/hr ($0.83 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- Nepal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Rs32,000 /mo ($234.43 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff July 2025) (2026-05-04)
Turkmenistan
Nepal
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Turkmenistan is roughly 401 times higher than in Nepal in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $714/mo in Turkmenistan versus $234/mo in Nepal, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Turkmenistan is 3.7x that of Nepal, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Turkmenistan has higher GDP per capita ($21,213 vs $5,737). Turkmenistan's unemployment rate is 4.3% compared to Nepal's 10.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkmenistan | Nepal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Rs112.81 $0.83 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Rs651.67 $4.77 |
| Minimum wage /mo | T1,160 $331.43 | Rs19,550 $143.22 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Rs234,600 $1,718.68 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | T2,500 /mo $714.29 | Rs32,000 /mo $234.43 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | Rs29,500 /mo $216.12 |
| Median individual income /yr | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 | Rs180,000 /yr $1,318.68 |
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.
- Nepal
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2017 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 150% of normal rate, limited to 4 hours/day and 24 hours/week. Weekly rest of at least one day (Saturday is the traditional rest day). Tea estate and some other sector workers may have different arrangements under sectoral orders.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Nepal to Turkmenistan would see a 40003% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Turkmenistan mandates 40 hours while Nepal mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Turkmenistan are $13,257 vs $40 in Nepal.
See this comparison from Nepal's perspective: Nepal vs Turkmenistan
Compare Turkmenistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkmenistan or Nepal?
In Turkmenistan, the minimum wage is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). In Nepal, it is Rs112.81/hr ($0.83 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 40003% 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 Nepal may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Turkmenistan compared to Nepal?
The average gross salary in Turkmenistan is T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD), compared to Rs32,000/mo ($234.43 USD) in Nepal. In USD terms, workers in Turkmenistan earn approximately 205% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkmenistan and Nepal is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkmenistan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Nepal.
How do work hours compare between Turkmenistan and Nepal?
Nepal has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Turkmenistan. Workers in Turkmenistan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Turkmenistan 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 Turkmenistan and Nepal?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Turkmenistan has the higher GDP per capita at $21,213, which is 3.7x that of Nepal at $5,737. From Turkmenistan's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.