Minimum Wage by Country (2026): 18 Countries Compared in US Dollars

• Highest in our comparison: Australia, about US$36,418 a year at the national minimum. Lowest: the Philippines, about US$3,145.
• Rates are set in different units: hourly (for example the UK, Germany, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand), daily (Mexico and the Philippines) or monthly (for example Brazil, Poland, Portugal and Spain). The annual column puts them on the same footing.
• Some minimums vary inside a country: Japan sets them by prefecture, the Philippines by region, and Mexico has a higher rate in the northern border zone. The table shows the rate stated.
• Portugal and Spain pay 14 times a year, so their annual minimum is 14 times the monthly figure.
• Not in the table: Argentina, Canada, India, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, where there is no general minimum, minimums vary by province, state or sector, or they change too often to compare; see below.

Our guides don't yet cover the minimum wage position for Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy and Norway.

• Argentina: Argentina's national minimum wage is updated frequently, and most roles are covered by collective agreements with their own, higher minimums. Professional salaries are well above the national minimum. See the Argentina guide.
• Canada: Canada has no single minimum wage: each province sets its own (C$15.00 in Alberta to C$18.25 in British Columbia; Ontario C$17.95 from 1 October 2026), and a federal minimum of C$18.15 applies to federally regulated sectors such as banking and telecoms. See the Canada guide.
• India: India's minimum wages vary by state, zone and skill level. See the India guide.
• Singapore: Singapore has no general minimum wage. Sector-based Progressive Wage Models set minimums in some sectors, and foreign hires need at least the Employment Pass qualifying salary. See the Singapore guide.
• South Africa: South Africa has a national minimum wage set as an hourly rate and updated each March. Professional salaries are far above it. See the South Africa guide.
• Sweden: Sweden has no statutory minimum wage. Minimum pay is set by collective agreements where they apply. See the Sweden guide.
• Switzerland: There is no national minimum wage. Some cantons (such as Geneva and Neuchâtel) set cantonal minimum wages, and collective agreements set minimums in many sectors. See the Switzerland guide.
• United Arab Emirates: The UAE has no general minimum wage. MoHRE sets a minimum of AED 6,000 a month for Emiratis in the private sector from 1 January 2026. See the United Arab Emirates guide.

The minimum wage is only the floor for salary. Employers also pay mandatory social security, pension and other contributions on top; see the Employer Cost Index and employer pension contributions by country.