Key Facts: Uzbekistan vs Pakistan Wages
- Uzbekistan Minimum Wage
- сўм6,838/hr ($0.56 USD)
- Pakistan Minimum Wage
- ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Uzbekistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- сўм5,357,000 /mo ($439.03 USD)
- Pakistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₨39,042 /mo ($140.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan (2026-02-25), Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development; FY2025-26 federal budget confirmed minimum wage UNCHANGED at PKR 37,000/month (no increase despite high inflation; Federal Government Grade 1-16 employees received separate 10% pay rise that does not affect minimum wage). Verified via Brecorder (brecorder.com/news/minimum-wage-to-remain-unchanged-at-rs37000-in-fy26). (2026-05-04)
Uzbekistan
Pakistan
Updated 2026-05-04
Both lower-middle-income economies, Uzbekistan and Pakistan set comparable minimum wage floors in USD terms. Average gross salaries diverge further: $439/mo in Uzbekistan versus $140/mo in Pakistan, a 3.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Uzbekistan is 1.9x that of Pakistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Uzbekistan's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Uzbekistan's minimum wage buys less than Pakistan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Uzbekistan is $2 international dollars, compared to $2 in Pakistan. Uzbekistan has higher GDP per capita ($11,879 vs $6,252). Uzbekistan's unemployment rate is 4.6% compared to Pakistan's 5.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uzbekistan | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | сўм6,838 $0.56 | ₨160 $0.57 |
| Minimum wage /mo | сўм1,155,000 $94.66 | ₨37,000 $132.85 |
| Minimum wage /yr | сўм13,860,000 $1,135.88 | ₨444,000 $1,594.25 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | сўм5,357,000 /mo $439.03 | ₨39,042 /mo $140.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | сўм4,714,000 /mo $386.33 | ₨35,138 /mo $126.17 |
| Median individual income /yr | сўм30,000,000 /yr $2,458.61 | ₨403,200 /yr $1,447.76 |
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.
- Pakistan
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act 1934 sets standard at 48 hours/week (9 hrs/day). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. Shops and Establishments ordinances vary by province.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Uzbekistan earns 3% less per hour in USD terms than one in Pakistan. Standard work weeks differ: Uzbekistan mandates 40 hours while Pakistan mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Uzbekistan are $22 vs $28 in Pakistan.
See this comparison from Pakistan's perspective: Pakistan vs Uzbekistan
Compare Uzbekistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uzbekistan or Pakistan?
In Uzbekistan, the minimum wage is сўм6,838/hr ($0.56 USD). In Pakistan, it is ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD). Pakistan has the higher rate by 3% 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 more does the average worker earn in Uzbekistan compared to Pakistan?
The average gross salary in Uzbekistan is сўм5,357,000/mo ($439.03 USD), compared to ₨39,042/mo ($140.19 USD) in Pakistan. In USD terms, workers in Uzbekistan earn approximately 213% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uzbekistan and Pakistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uzbekistan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Pakistan.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Uzbekistan or Pakistan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Pakistan can afford more than those in Uzbekistan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $2 in Uzbekistan and $2 in Pakistan. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 18% 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 Pakistan?
Pakistan has a longer standard work week at 48 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 Pakistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Uzbekistan has the higher GDP per capita at $11,879, which is 1.9x that of Pakistan at $6,252. From Uzbekistan'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.