Average Hourly Earnings 2013
Average hourly earnings compare employee pay rates globally, offering insights into wage disparities and economic strength.
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Complete Data Rankings
Rank | Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | United States | 24.475 USD | |
2 | Canada | 20.476 USD | |
3 | Spain | 19.777 USD | |
4 | Finland | 19.67 USD | |
5 | Switzerland | 19.36 USD | |
6 | South Korea | 18.907 USD | |
7 | France | 15.282 USD | |
8 | Italy | 11.036 USD | |
9 | Czech Republic | 10.674 USD | |
10 | South Africa | 8.673 USD | |
11 | United Kingdom | 8.484 USD | |
12 | Portugal | 7.91 USD | |
13 | Panama | 7.13 USD | |
14 | Namibia | 7.074 USD | |
15 | Chile | 6.948 USD | |
16 | Argentina | 6.834 USD | |
17 | Malaysia | 6.745 USD | |
18 | Costa Rica | 6.573 USD | |
19 | Mauritius | 5.796 USD | |
20 | Turkey | 5.78 USD | |
21 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5.221 USD | |
22 | Brazil | 4.899 USD | |
23 | Paraguay | 4.864 USD | |
24 | Timor-Leste | 4.668 USD | |
25 | Ecuador | 4.582 USD | |
26 | Peru | 4.452 USD | |
27 | Colombia | 4.017 USD | |
28 | Egypt | 3.874 USD | |
29 | Ghana | 3.761 USD | |
30 | Mongolia | 3.685 USD | |
31 | El Salvador | 3.605 USD | |
32 | Nigeria | 3.564 USD | |
33 | Philippines | 3.408 USD | |
34 | Honduras | 3.368 USD | |
35 | Mexico | 3.285 USD | |
36 | Côte d'Ivoire | 3.252 USD | |
37 | Jamaica | 3.034 USD | |
38 | Vietnam | 2.76 USD | |
39 | Armenia | 2.749 USD | |
40 | Republic of Moldova | 2.396 USD | |
41 | Sri Lanka | 2.319 USD | |
42 | Bangladesh | 2.29 USD | |
43 | Pakistan | 2.287 USD | |
44 | Indonesia | 2.274 USD | |
45 | Mali | 2.22 USD | |
46 | Malawi | 1.965 USD | |
47 | Cambodia | 1.579 USD | |
48 | Ethiopia | 1.127 USD |
- #1
United States
- #2
Canada
- #3
Spain
- #4
Finland
- #5
Switzerland
- #6
South Korea
- #7
France
- #8
Italy
- #9
Czech Republic
- #10
South Africa
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #48
Ethiopia
- #47
Cambodia
- #46
Malawi
- #45
Mali
- #44
Indonesia
- #43
Pakistan
- #42
Bangladesh
- #41
Sri Lanka
- #40
Republic of Moldova
- #39
Armenia
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Insights by country
Mauritius
In 2013, Mauritius achieved a global rank of #19 with an Average Hourly Earnings of 5.796 USD. This figure is notably higher than many of its regional peers, reflecting a more developed economy compared to neighboring countries like Madagascar. Key drivers of this statistic include Mauritius's stable political environment, strategic economic policies promoting tourism and financial services, and a relatively skilled workforce.
Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire ranked #36 globally in Average Hourly Earnings in 2013, with a value of 3.252 USD. This figure is significantly lower than the top-ranked country in the region, which reflects ongoing economic challenges. Factors such as a reliance on agriculture, socio-political instability, and limited industrial diversification contribute to this earnings level.
Ghana
In 2013, Ghana achieved an average hourly earnings value of 3.761 USD, ranking #29 out of 48 countries. This figure is notably higher than many of its West African neighbors, reflecting a more diverse economy and stronger agricultural exports. Key drivers of these earnings include Ghana's rich natural resources, such as gold and cocoa, along with ongoing efforts to stabilize the economy and improve labor conditions.
United States
The United States achieved the highest global rank for Average Hourly Earnings in 2013, at 24.475 USD. This figure significantly surpasses the average earnings in many developed countries, reflecting the nation's robust economy and high demand for skilled labor. Key drivers include a diverse economic landscape, technological innovation, and a relatively low unemployment rate, which collectively enhance wage levels across various sectors.
Vietnam
In 2013, Vietnam's Average Hourly Earnings were 2.76 USD, ranking #38 out of 48 countries. This figure is notably lower than regional leaders, reflecting the country's developing economy. Key drivers of this relatively low earnings level include a large workforce in agriculture and manufacturing, sectors that typically offer lower wages compared to service-oriented economies.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom achieved a global rank of #11 for Average Hourly Earnings in 2013, with a value of 8.484 USD. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting the UK's strong labor market and economic structure.
Key drivers of this statistic include the country's developed economy, a robust services sector, and relatively high levels of education among the workforce, which contribute to competitive wages.
Mongolia
Mongolia's Average Hourly Earnings in 2013 were 3.685 USD, ranking it #30 out of 48 countries. This figure is lower than the regional average in East Asia, reflecting the economic challenges faced by the nation. Key drivers of Mongolia's earnings include its reliance on mining and agriculture, which often offer lower wage levels compared to more diversified economies.
El Salvador
In 2013, El Salvador ranked #31 globally with an average hourly earnings of 3.605 USD. This figure is notably lower than the regional average for Central America, which reflects broader economic challenges. The country's earnings are influenced by a high level of informal employment and limited access to higher-paying job sectors, compounded by economic instability and a lack of significant foreign investment.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic ranked #9 globally in 2013 for Average Hourly Earnings, with a value of 10.674 USD. This figure is notably higher than the regional average in Central and Eastern Europe, reflecting the country's robust economic performance. Strong industrial sectors, including automotive and machinery, along with a skilled workforce, contribute to these competitive earnings.
Philippines
The Philippines ranked #33 globally in Average Hourly Earnings in 2013, with a value of 3.408 USD. This figure is notably lower than the regional average in Southeast Asia, where countries like Singapore lead with significantly higher earnings. Key factors influencing this statistic include a large labor force engaged in low-wage sectors such as agriculture and services, alongside economic policies that have historically focused on remittances from overseas workers rather than domestic wage growth.
Analysis & Context
In 2013, the United States led the world in Average Hourly Earnings with a rate of $24.48, while the global range spanned from $1.13 to $24.48. The global average for Average Hourly Earnings was $6.86, offering a broad perspective on international wage disparities.
Economic Powerhouses and Wage Disparities
The dominance of countries like the United States and Canada in the rankings of Average Hourly Earnings can be attributed to their robust economies and high standards of living. The United States topped the chart with $24.48 per hour, followed by Canada at $20.48. These figures reflect not only economic strength but also the cost of living and productivity levels that influence wage structures.
In Europe, countries such as Spain ($19.78), Finland ($19.67), and Switzerland ($19.36) highlight the continent's economic diversity. Spain's position is particularly notable given its economic challenges during that period, suggesting a complex interplay between labor markets and wage policies.
Developing Economies and Low Earnings
At the lower end of the spectrum, countries like Ethiopia ($1.13) and Cambodia ($1.58) reflect the significant wage disparities that exist between developed and developing nations. These figures are indicative of broader economic factors such as lower GDP per capita, limited industrialization, and reliance on agriculture or low-skill manufacturing sectors.
Despite these low figures, some developing countries are experiencing positive economic changes. For instance, South Africa recorded a notable increase in earnings by 14.8% to $8.67, highlighting efforts to improve wage structures amidst economic reforms.
Policy and Economic Drivers Behind Wage Changes
The year-over-year changes in Average Hourly Earnings reveal significant economic dynamics. Côte d'Ivoire experienced the largest increase of 72.9%, driven by economic reforms and increased investment in infrastructure and industry. Similarly, Namibia saw a 15.4% increase, reflecting efforts to boost wages through policy initiatives.
Conversely, countries such as Honduras and Armenia experienced declines of -21.6% and -7.7% respectively, highlighting economic challenges such as political instability and inflationary pressures that can suppress wage growth.
Regional Variations and Economic Implications
The data underscores significant regional variations in Average Hourly Earnings. In Asia, South Korea stands out with a rate of $18.91, far exceeding its regional peers, reflecting its advanced technology sector and high educational standards. Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka remain at the lower end, with earnings of $2.29 and $2.32 respectively, illustrating the impact of different economic structures and levels of industrialization.
These disparities have profound implications for global economic policy and development strategies. They highlight the need for targeted interventions that address the underlying factors contributing to low wages, such as improving education, fostering industrial diversification, and implementing effective labor policies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Average Hourly Earnings in 2013
Which country had the highest average hourly earnings in 2013?
The United States had the highest average hourly earnings in 2013, with 24.48 USD.
What was the lowest average hourly earnings in 2013, and which country had it?
Ethiopia had the lowest average hourly earnings in 2013, with 1.13 USD.
What was the average hourly earnings value across all countries in the dataset for 2013?
The average hourly earnings across all 48 countries in the dataset for 2013 was 6.86 USD.
What was the median average hourly earnings value in 2013?
The median average hourly earnings value in 2013 was 4.63 USD.
Which countries were in the top 3 for average hourly earnings in 2013?
The top 3 countries for average hourly earnings in 2013 were the United States (24.48 USD), Canada (20.48 USD), and Spain (19.78 USD).
What was the range of average hourly earnings in 2013?
In 2013, the range of average hourly earnings was from 1.13 USD in Ethiopia to 24.48 USD in the United States.
Data Source
Average hourly earnings of employees | International Labour Organization via Our World in Data
Data produced by International Labour Organization, compiled and published by Our World in Data as "Average hourly earnings of employees".
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