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Key Facts: Uganda vs Philippines Wages

Uganda Minimum Wage
UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
Philippines Minimum Wage
₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD)
Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
Philippines Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
₱20,000 /mo ($323.88 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) / National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC); 2025 figures verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 18 July 2025) (2026-05-04)

Uganda flag Uganda Philippines flag Philippines

Updated 2026-05-04

Uganda flag Uganda

Minimum Wage

UGX750 /hr

$0.21 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

UGX1,500,000 /mo

Philippines flag Philippines

Minimum Wage

₱18,070 /mo

$292.62 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₱20,000 /mo

Min wage: -100% Uganda vs Philippines Avg. salary: +31% Uganda vs Philippines

The minimum wage in Uganda is roughly 1379 times lower than in the Philippines in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Uganda at $424/mo compared to $324/mo in the Philippines. GDP per capita (PPP) in Philippines is 3.6x that of Uganda, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Uganda has lower GDP per capita ($3,273 vs $11,794). Uganda's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to the Philippines' 2.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Uganda and Philippines
Metric Uganda Philippines
Minimum wage /hr UGX750 $0.21
Minimum wage /day ₱695 $11.25
Minimum wage /mo UGX130,000 $36.78 ₱18,070 $292.62
Minimum wage /yr UGX1,560,000 $441.30 ₱234,910 $3,804.09
Avg. gross salary /mo UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 ₱20,000 /mo $323.88
Avg. net salary /mo UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 ₱17,600 /mo $285.01
Median individual income /yr UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 ₱156,000 /yr $2,526.23

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

Work Week

Uganda

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.

Philippines

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labor Code sets normal working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Overtime: 25% premium on regular days, 30% on rest days/holidays. Night shift differential (10pm-6am): 10% additional. Special non-working holidays: 30% premium. Regular holidays: 100% premium.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Uganda earns 137823% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Philippines.

See this comparison from Philippines's perspective: Philippines vs Uganda

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Uganda or Philippines?

In Uganda, the minimum wage is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD). In the Philippines, it is ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD). Philippines has the higher rate by 137823% 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 Uganda may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Uganda compared to Philippines?

The average gross salary in Uganda is UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD), compared to ₱20,000/mo ($323.88 USD) in the Philippines. In USD terms, workers in Uganda earn approximately 31% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uganda and Philippines is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uganda earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Philippines.

How do work hours compare between Uganda and Philippines?

Both Uganda and Philippines mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Uganda and Philippines?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Philippines has the higher GDP per capita at $11,794, which is 3.6x that of Uganda at $3,273. From Uganda'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.