Key Facts: Ukraine vs Singapore Wages
- Ukraine Minimum Wage
- ₴48/hr ($1.15 USD)
- Singapore Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Ukraine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₴20,000 /mo ($478.47 USD)
- Singapore Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S$5,800 /mo ($4,539.05 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Economy of Ukraine / State Statistics Service (2026-02-24), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2026-06-01)
Ukraine
Singapore
Updated 2026-06-01
Unlike Singapore, which has no statutory minimum wage, Ukraine mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $478/mo in Ukraine versus $4,539/mo in Singapore, a 9.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Singapore is 8.1x that of Ukraine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Ukraine has lower GDP per capita ($18,550 vs $150,689). Ukraine's unemployment rate is 9.8% compared to Singapore's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Ukraine | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₴48 $1.15 | None |
| Minimum wage /day | ₴266.67 $6.38 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₴8,000 $191.39 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₴96,000 $2,296.65 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₴20,000 /mo $478.47 | S$5,800 /mo $4,539.05 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₴16,400 /mo $392.34 | S$4,930 /mo $3,858.19 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₴120,000 /yr $2,870.81 | S$66,000 /yr $51,651.28 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Ukraine is higher.
Work Week
- Ukraine
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Labour Code sets standard working time at 40 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at double the normal rate and limited to 4 hours over 2 consecutive days, 120 hours/year. Under martial law (from Feb 2022), employers may increase working hours to 60/week and suspend certain labour protections with government approval.
- Singapore
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act caps at 44 hours/week (8 hrs/day for 5-day week, or 9 hrs/day for fewer days). Overtime pay at 1.5x hourly basic rate, applies to non-workmen earning up to SGD 2,600/mo and workmen earning up to SGD 4,500/mo. Maximum overtime: 72 hours/month.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Ukraine mandates 40 hours while Singapore mandates 44 hours.
See this comparison from Singapore's perspective: Singapore vs Ukraine
Compare Ukraine with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Ukraine or Singapore?
In Ukraine, the minimum wage is ₴48/hr ($1.15 USD). In Singapore, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Ukraine compared to Singapore?
The average gross salary in Ukraine is ₴20,000/mo ($478.47 USD), compared to S$5,800/mo ($4,539.05 USD) in Singapore. In USD terms, workers in Ukraine earn approximately 849% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Ukraine and Singapore is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Singapore earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Ukraine.
How do work hours compare between Ukraine and Singapore?
Singapore has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Ukraine. Workers in Ukraine work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ukraine 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 Ukraine and Singapore?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Singapore has the higher GDP per capita at $150,689, which is 8.1x that of Ukraine at $18,550. From Ukraine'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.