Key Facts: Uzbekistan vs Iran Wages
- Uzbekistan Minimum Wage
- сўм7,521/hr ($0.62 USD)
- Iran Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Uzbekistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- сўм5,357,000 /mo ($439.03 USD)
- Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan (2026-07-06), Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04)
Uzbekistan
Iran
Updated 2026-07-06
The minimum wage in Uzbekistan is 39% lower than in Iran in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average salaries are lower in Uzbekistan at $439/mo compared to $588/mo in Iran. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iran is 1.7x that of Uzbekistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Uzbekistan's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Uzbekistan's minimum wage buys less than Iran's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Uzbekistan is $2 international dollars, compared to $6 in Iran. Uzbekistan has lower GDP per capita ($11,879 vs $19,874). Uzbekistan's unemployment rate is 4.6% compared to Iran's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uzbekistan | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | сўм7,521 $0.62 | ﷼692,731 $1.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | сўм1,271,000 $104.16 | ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 |
| Minimum wage /yr | сўм15,252,000 $1,249.96 | ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | сўм5,357,000 /mo $439.03 | ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | сўм4,714,000 /mo $386.33 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | сўм30,000,000 /yr $2,458.61 | ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Uzbekistan is higher.
Work Week
- Uzbekistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours. Reduced hours (36 hrs) for workers aged 16-18, hazardous conditions, and night work. Overtime limited to 4 hours per day and 120 hours per year. Overtime is compensated at double rate. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%. Holiday work at double rate.
- Iran
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Uzbekistan earns 65% less per hour in USD terms than one in Iran. Standard work weeks differ: Uzbekistan mandates 40 hours while Iran mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Uzbekistan are $25 vs $45 in Iran.
See this comparison from Iran's perspective: Iran vs Uzbekistan
Compare Uzbekistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uzbekistan or Iran?
In Uzbekistan, the minimum wage is сўм7,521/hr ($0.62 USD). In Iran, it is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). Iran has the higher rate by 65% 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 Uzbekistan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Uzbekistan compared to Iran?
The average gross salary in Uzbekistan is сўм5,357,000/mo ($439.03 USD), compared to ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD) in Iran. In USD terms, workers in Uzbekistan earn approximately 34% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uzbekistan and Iran is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iran earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Uzbekistan.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Uzbekistan or Iran?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Iran can afford more than those in Uzbekistan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $2 in Uzbekistan and $6 in Iran. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 162% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Uzbekistan appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Uzbekistan and Iran?
Iran has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Uzbekistan. Workers in Uzbekistan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan and Iran?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iran has the higher GDP per capita at $19,874, which is 1.7x that of Uzbekistan at $11,879. From Uzbekistan'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.