Sri Lanka has been ranked 120th out of 130 countries in the latest comparative world minimum wage report released by Visual Capitalist based on International Labour Organization (ILO) data. The report shows that the purchasing power of Sri Lanka’s monthly minimum wage stands at just USD 200, placing the country among the lowest globally.

In Asia, South Korea recorded the highest minimum wage at USD 2,362, securing 11th place worldwide, while Japan followed at 16th place with USD 1,839. Among South Asian nations, Sri Lanka was positioned lowest, with Pakistan ranked 68th (USD 570), Nepal 78th (USD 490), Bangladesh 89th (USD 379), and India 111th (USD 233).Globally, Switzerland topped the list with a purchasing power equivalent of USD 3,804 per month. Other countries in the top ten included Germany (USD 2,928), the United Kingdom (USD 2,902), the Netherlands (USD 2,876), Australia (USD 2,819), Belgium (USD 2,752), Iceland (USD 2,730), New Zealand (USD 2,673), France (USD 2,465) and Ireland (USD 2,433).Only ten countries ranked below Sri Lanka in the index: Niger, Bhutan, Haiti, Guinea, the Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Guinea‑Bissau and Gambia, which recorded the lowest figure at USD 67.

The report emphasized that these values are calculated based on domestic purchasing power parity rather than direct US dollar income, and that taxes or additional allowances are not included in the figures.