Key Facts: Venezuela vs Papua New Guinea Wages
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Papua New Guinea Minimum Wage
- K3.50/hr ($0.93 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Papua New Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- K2,200 /mo ($585.11 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), Department of Labour and Industrial Relations — Papua New Guinea / ILO (2026-02-25)
Venezuela 
Papua New Guinea
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Venezuela is roughly 50 times lower than in Papua New Guinea in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $14/mo in Venezuela versus $585/mo in Papua New Guinea, a 42.7:1 ratio. Papua New Guinea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.6% compared to 5.3%.
Venezuela's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Papua New Guinea's 2.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Venezuela | Papua New Guinea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 | K3.50 $0.93 |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs.D130 $3.56 | K606.67 $161.35 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | K7,280 $1,936.17 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 | K2,200 /mo $585.11 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | K1,900 /mo $505.32 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | K7,200 /yr $1,914.89 |
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.
- Papua New Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Papua New Guinea Employment Act sets a standard 40-hour week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum is 48 hours including overtime. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the ordinary rate. Work on Sundays is at 2x. The extractive sector often operates on rotating shift schedules under enterprise agreements.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Venezuela earns 4896% less per hour in USD terms than one in Papua New Guinea.
See this comparison from Papua New Guinea's perspective: Papua New Guinea 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 Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
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 Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Venezuela or Papua New Guinea?
In Venezuela, the minimum wage is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). In Papua New Guinea, it is K3.50/hr ($0.93 USD). Papua New Guinea has the higher rate by 4896% 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 Papua New Guinea?
The average gross salary in Venezuela is Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD), compared to K2,200/mo ($585.11 USD) in Papua New Guinea. In USD terms, workers in Venezuela earn approximately 4171% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Venezuela and Papua New Guinea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea?
Both Venezuela and Papua New Guinea 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.