Key Facts: Turkmenistan vs Sri Lanka Wages
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- Sri Lanka Minimum Wage
- Rs135/hr ($0.45 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- Sri Lanka Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Rs55,000 /mo ($183.95 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04), Department of Labour — Sri Lanka; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-04-01) (2026-05-04)
Turkmenistan
Sri Lanka
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Turkmenistan is roughly 734 times higher than in Sri Lanka 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 $184/mo in Sri Lanka, a 3.9:1 ratio.
Turkmenistan has higher GDP per capita ($21,213 vs $15,633). Turkmenistan's unemployment rate is 4.3% compared to Sri Lanka's 4.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkmenistan | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Rs135 $0.45 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Rs1,080 $3.61 |
| Minimum wage /mo | T1,160 $331.43 | Rs27,000 $90.30 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Rs324,000 $1,083.61 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | T2,500 /mo $714.29 | Rs55,000 /mo $183.95 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | Rs49,500 /mo $165.55 |
| Median individual income /yr | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 | Rs420,000 /yr $1,404.68 |
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.
- Sri Lanka
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Shop and Office Employees Act limits hours to 8 per day and 45 per week for commercial establishments. Factories Ordinance limits factory workers to similar hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the ordinary rate. Different rules apply to plantation workers and domestic workers. Public holidays: approximately 25 per year (Sri Lanka has one of the highest numbers of public holidays globally).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Sri Lanka to Turkmenistan would see a 73305% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Turkmenistan mandates 40 hours while Sri Lanka mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Turkmenistan are $13,257 vs $20 in Sri Lanka.
See this comparison from Sri Lanka's perspective: Sri Lanka vs Turkmenistan
Compare Turkmenistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkmenistan or Sri Lanka?
In Turkmenistan, the minimum wage is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). In Sri Lanka, it is Rs135/hr ($0.45 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 73305% 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 Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka?
The average gross salary in Turkmenistan is T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD), compared to Rs55,000/mo ($183.95 USD) in Sri Lanka. In USD terms, workers in Turkmenistan earn approximately 288% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka.
How do work hours compare between Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has a longer standard work week at 45 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 Sri Lanka?
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 1.4x that of Sri Lanka at $15,633. 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.