Abisola SalahuThe countries with the lowest minimum wages are concentrated in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and parts of Asia and Africa, where economic conditions and currency values keep nominal wage floors very low.
The following list ranks the ten countries with the lowest minimum wages based on available data, expressed in euros or US dollars for comparison.
Top 10 Countries With The Lowest Minimum Wage
1. Ukraine – 169 euros per month
Ukraine has the lowest minimum wage in Europe, at just 169 euros per month. This figure is far below any EU member state and reflects the country’s ongoing economic challenges and the impact of conflict on its labor market. Even when adjusted for purchasing power, Ukraine remains at the very bottom of European wage rankings.
2. Moldova – 313 euros per month
Moldova has the second-lowest minimum wage in Europe at 313 euros per month. As one of the poorest countries in Europe, its wage floor is significantly lower than even the lowest EU member state, Bulgaria, which pays 620 euros. The country’s economy relies heavily on agriculture and remittances from citizens working abroad.
3. India – approximately 59 dollars per month
India’s minimum wage varies by state, but the national floor is extremely low at approximately 178 rupees per day, equivalent to about 1.96 dollars. Even when converted to a monthly figure, India’s minimum wage is among the lowest in the world. The country’s vast informal economy means many workers earn far below even this threshold.
4. Sri Lanka – 89.73 dollars per month
Sri Lanka’s minimum wage stands at approximately 27,000 rupees per month, equivalent to about 89.73 dollars. The country has faced severe economic crisis in recent years, with high inflation eroding the purchasing power of workers earning the minimum wage.
5. Pakistan – 131.93 to 142.63 dollars per month
Pakistan’s minimum wage ranges from 37,000 to 40,000 rupees per month, equivalent to approximately 131.93 to 142.63 dollars. The wage varies by province and sector, with the federal government setting a national floor that many employers struggle to meet.
6. Nigeria – 53 dollars per month
Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage of 70,000 naira is equivalent to only about 53 dollars at current exchange rates. This places Nigeria 17th out of 22 African countries in a regional comparison, behind countries including Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa, where the minimum wage is more than five times higher in dollar terms.
7. Uganda – approximately 35 dollars per month
Uganda’s minimum wage of 130,000 Ugandan shillings per month is equivalent to approximately 35 dollars, making it one of the lowest in Africa. The country’s minimum wage has not been adjusted in years, and its value has been severely eroded by inflation.
8. Ethiopia – approximately 3 dollars per month
Ethiopia has one of the lowest minimum wages in the world, with a statutory floor of just 420 Ethiopian birr per month. At current exchange rates, this is equivalent to only a few dollars, reflecting the country’s low-income status and the limited reach of formal wage regulation.
9. Tanzania – approximately 21 to 28 dollars per month
Tanzania’s minimum wage is set at 80,000 Tanzanian shillings per month for some sectors, equivalent to approximately 28 dollars, though other sectors have lower floors. The country’s wage system is fragmented by industry, with agricultural and domestic workers often earning below the national benchmark.
10. Angola – approximately 58 dollars per month
Angola’s minimum wage of 32,181 Angolan kwanza per month is equivalent to approximately 58 dollars. Despite being one of Africa’s major oil producers, the country’s minimum wage remains low in dollar terms due to currency depreciation and economic challenges.
Comparison Table
| No. | Country | Minimum Wage (USD per Month) | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ukraine | €169 | Europe |
| 2 | Moldova | €313 | Europe |
| 3 | India | Approximately $59 | Asia |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | $89.73 | Asia |
| 5 | Pakistan | $131.93 – $142.63 | Asia |
| 6 | Nigeria | $53 | Africa |
| 7 | Uganda | Approximately $35 | Africa |
| 8 | Ethiopia | Approximately $3 | Africa |
| 9 | Tanzania | Approximately $21 – $28 | Africa |
| 10 | Angola | Approximately $58 | Africa |
Key Context
Minimum wage comparisons across countries are complicated by currency fluctuations, differences in working hours, and variations in how wages are set.
Some countries have no national minimum wage at all, relying instead on collective bargaining, as is the case in Denmark, Italy, Austria, Finland, and Sweden.
Even among countries with statutory minimums, the actual purchasing power of the wage varies dramatically depending on local prices for food, housing, and transport.
In many of the countries listed above, the majority of workers are employed in the informal economy and earn far less than the official minimum wage.
Closing
The countries with the lowest minimum wages are concentrated in Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, where economic conditions and currency values keep nominal wage floors extremely low. Ukraine and Moldova stand out as the lowest in Europe, while Ethiopia has one of the lowest minimum wages in the world in dollar terms.
Note that all figures are approximate and subject to change based on exchange rates and government policy. It is always best to verify current minimum wage data directly with official government sources or international labor organizations.