Average Hourly Earnings 2013

Average hourly earnings compare employee pay rates globally, offering insights into wage disparities and economic strength.

48 data points••Global Coverage•Average hourly earnings of employees | International Labour Organization via Our World in Data•

Newer data is available: Average Hourly Earnings by country 2024 →

Highest
United States
24.48 USD
Lowest
Ethiopia
1.13 USD
Median country
4.63 USD
Countries with data
48

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
United States flag
United States
24.475 USD
2
Canada flag
Canada
20.476 USD
3
Spain flag
Spain
19.777 USD
4
Finland flag
Finland
19.67 USD
5
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
19.36 USD
6
South Korea flag
South Korea
18.907 USD
7
France flag
France
15.282 USD
8
Italy flag
Italy
11.036 USD
9
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
10.674 USD
10
South Africa flag
South Africa
8.673 USD
11
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
8.484 USD
12
Portugal flag
Portugal
7.91 USD
13
Panama flag
Panama
7.13 USD
14
Namibia flag
Namibia
7.074 USD
15
Chile flag
Chile
6.948 USD
16
Argentina flag
Argentina
6.834 USD
17
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
6.745 USD
18
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
6.573 USD
19
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
5.796 USD
20
Turkey flag
Turkey
5.78 USD
21
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
5.221 USD
22
Brazil flag
Brazil
4.899 USD
23
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
4.864 USD
24
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
4.668 USD
25
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
4.582 USD
26
Peru flag
Peru
4.452 USD
27
Colombia flag
Colombia
4.017 USD
28
Egypt flag
Egypt
3.874 USD
29
Ghana flag
Ghana
3.761 USD
30
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
3.685 USD
31
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
3.605 USD
32
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
3.564 USD
33
Philippines flag
Philippines
3.408 USD
34
Honduras flag
Honduras
3.368 USD
35
Mexico flag
Mexico
3.285 USD
36
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
3.252 USD
37
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
3.034 USD
38
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
2.76 USD
39
Armenia flag
Armenia
2.749 USD
40
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
2.396 USD
41
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
2.319 USD
42
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
2.29 USD
43
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
2.287 USD
44
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
2.274 USD
45
Mali flag
Mali
2.22 USD
46
Malawi flag
Malawi
1.965 USD
47
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
1.579 USD
48
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
1.127 USD

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1United States flagUnited States
  2. #2Canada flagCanada
  3. #3Spain flagSpain
  4. #4Finland flagFinland
  5. #5Switzerland flagSwitzerland
  6. #6South Korea flagSouth Korea
  7. #7France flagFrance
  8. #8Italy flagItaly
  9. #9Czech Republic flagCzech Republic
  10. #10South Africa flagSouth Africa

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #48Ethiopia flagEthiopia
  2. #47Cambodia flagCambodia
  3. #46Malawi flagMalawi
  4. #45Mali flagMali
  5. #44Indonesia flagIndonesia
  6. #43Pakistan flagPakistan
  7. #42Bangladesh flagBangladesh
  8. #41Sri Lanka flagSri Lanka
  9. #40Republic of Moldova flagRepublic of Moldova
  10. #39Armenia flagArmenia

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Insights by country

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

7

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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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Historical Data by Year

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