Key Facts: Venezuela vs Japan Wages
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Japan Minimum Wage
- ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Japan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ¥398,333 /mo ($2,497.54 USD)
- Data Sources
- Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2026-05-23)
Venezuela 
Japan
Updated 2026-05-23
The minimum wage in Venezuela is roughly 377 times lower than in Japan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $14/mo in Venezuela versus $2,498/mo in Japan, a 182.3:1 ratio. Japan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.5% compared to 5.3%.
Venezuela's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Japan's 2.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Venezuela | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 | ¥1,121 $7.03 |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs.D130 $3.56 | ¥194,303 $1,218.28 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ¥2,331,680 $14,619.60 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 | ¥398,333 /mo $2,497.54 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ¥290,833 /mo $1,823.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ¥3,620,000 /yr $22,697.35 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Venezuela is higher.
Work Week
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
- Japan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hrs/week base. Overtime premium 25% (50% over 60 hrs/month). Late night (10pm-5am) adds 25%. Holiday work adds 35%.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Venezuela earns 37627% less per hour in USD terms than one in Japan.
See this comparison from Japan's perspective: Japan vs Venezuela
Compare Venezuela with...
Venezuela vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Venezuela vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Venezuela vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Venezuela vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Venezuela vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Venezuela vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Venezuela vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Venezuela vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Venezuela vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Venezuela vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Venezuela vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Venezuela vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Venezuela vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Venezuela vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Venezuela vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Venezuela vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Venezuela vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Venezuela vs Switzerland 
Venezuela vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Venezuela vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Venezuela vs Sweden 
Venezuela vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Venezuela vs Singapore 
Venezuela vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Venezuela or Japan?
In Venezuela, the minimum wage is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). In Japan, it is ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD). Japan has the higher rate by 37627% 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 Venezuela may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Venezuela compared to Japan?
The average gross salary in Venezuela is Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD), compared to ¥398,333/mo ($2,497.54 USD) in Japan. In USD terms, workers in Venezuela earn approximately 18132% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Venezuela and Japan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Japan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Venezuela and Japan?
Both Venezuela and Japan mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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.