Key Facts: Venezuela vs Sri Lanka Wages
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Sri Lanka Minimum Wage
- Rs135/hr ($0.45 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Sri Lanka Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Rs55,000 /mo ($183.95 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 — Sri Lanka; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-04-01) (2026-05-04)
Venezuela 
Sri Lanka
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Venezuela is roughly 24 times lower than in Sri Lanka 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 $184/mo in Sri Lanka, a 13.4:1 ratio.
Venezuela's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Sri Lanka's 4.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Venezuela | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 | Rs135 $0.45 |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 | Rs1,080 $3.61 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs.D130 $3.56 | Rs27,000 $90.30 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Rs324,000 $1,083.61 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 | Rs55,000 /mo $183.95 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | Rs49,500 /mo $165.55 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Rs420,000 /yr $1,404.68 |
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.
- Sri Lanka
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Shop and Office Employees Act limits hours to 8 per day and 45 per week for commercial establishments. Factories Ordinance limits factory workers to similar hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the ordinary rate. Different rules apply to plantation workers and domestic workers. Public holidays: approximately 25 per year (Sri Lanka has one of the highest numbers of public holidays globally).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Venezuela earns 2324% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sri Lanka. Standard work weeks differ: Venezuela mandates 40 hours while Sri Lanka mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Venezuela are $1 vs $20 in Sri Lanka.
See this comparison from Sri Lanka's perspective: Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka?
In Venezuela, the minimum wage is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). In Sri Lanka, it is Rs135/hr ($0.45 USD). Sri Lanka has the higher rate by 2324% 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 Sri Lanka?
The average gross salary in Venezuela is Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD), compared to Rs55,000/mo ($183.95 USD) in Sri Lanka. In USD terms, workers in Venezuela earn approximately 1243% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Venezuela and Sri Lanka is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Venezuela work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Venezuela 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.