Key Facts: Venezuela vs Netherlands Wages
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Netherlands Minimum Wage
- €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Netherlands Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 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), Rijksoverheid (Government of the Netherlands); 2026 monthly basis verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (40-hour workweek convention) (2026-05-27)
Venezuela
Netherlands
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Venezuela is roughly 920 times lower than in the Netherlands 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 $4,542/mo in the Netherlands, a 331.5:1 ratio.
Venezuela's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to the Netherlands' 3.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Venezuela | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 | €14.71 $17.13 |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs.D130 $3.56 | €2,549.73 $2,969.29 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | €30,596.76 $35,631.49 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €2,750 /mo $3,202.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €36,500 /yr $42,506.11 |
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.
- Netherlands
-
36 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek varies by sector: commonly 36, 38, or 40 hours. The Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) limits working time to 12 hours per shift and 60 hours per week, averaged to a maximum of 48 hours over 16 weeks. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements or individual contracts.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Venezuela earns 91851% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Netherlands. Standard work weeks differ: Venezuela mandates 40 hours while the Netherlands mandates 36 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Venezuela are $1 vs $617 in the Netherlands.
See this comparison from Netherlands's perspective: Netherlands vs Venezuela
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Venezuela or Netherlands?
In Venezuela, the minimum wage is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). In the Netherlands, it is €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD). Netherlands has the higher rate by 91851% 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 Netherlands?
The average gross salary in Venezuela is Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD), compared to €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD) in the Netherlands. In USD terms, workers in Venezuela earn approximately 33055% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Venezuela and Netherlands is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Netherlands 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 Netherlands?
Venezuela has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 36 hours in the Netherlands. Workers in Venezuela work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Netherlands 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.