In this article, we will look at the 5 countries with the highest average salaries in Asia. We have also discussed the economic development taking place in Asia in 2024 in another article. If you are interested in reading about that along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 15 Countries with the Highest Average Salaries in Asia.
5. Taiwan
Average Salary: $48,309
Salaries in Taiwan are projected to increase by 2 to 5% this year, according to the latest Salary Survey from Robert Walters. Job movers, especially in commerce and technology sectors, could see even higher increments, ranging from 10 to 20%. Specifically, in the commerce market, salary increments may range from 12% to 20%, while in the technology sector, the range is anticipated to be 10% to 20%. HR professionals switching jobs can also expect significant increases, with a predicted 15 to 20% rise. However, talent shortages are expected to persist, making it challenging for employers to fill specialized positions despite 65% of employees actively seeking opportunities.
Given the high skill labor shortages in the country, Taiwan is one of the countries with the highest labor shortages in the world.
4. Kuwait
Average Salary: $49,640
According to Al Shall Consulting’s report, Kuwaiti males in the public sector earn the highest average monthly salary at KD1,929 ($6,277) while surpassing their female counterparts by 43%. Expats in the public sector earn less as male expats earn on average around KD787 ($2,560) and females make KD698 ($2,271) with a gender pay gap of 12.7%. In the private sector, Kuwaiti males earn KD1,589 ($5,169), while non-national males earn KD305 ($993), and non-national females outpace males at KD425 ($1,384). On average, citizens earn more than expats, with Kuwaiti males earning the most at KD1,862 ($6,059).
3. Qatar
Average Salary: $50,868
Qatar is globally known for its exceptionally low unemployment rate of 0.1%, as documented by Spectator Index. This statistic positions Qatar as a leader in employment stability, surpassing other Asian countries like Thailand (1.1%) and Singapore (1.8%). Furthermore, Qatar’s strategic initiatives, such as capitalizing on the 2022 World Cup to promote tourism, also add to its economic expansion and job creation.
2. United Arab Emirates
Average Salary: $51,390
The job market in the UAE is observing prodigious growth as there is a projection of 4% increase in average salaries which outpaces the 2.3% rise in inflation, according to the Mercer Middle East Total Remuneration Survey for 2024. Various sectors are set for major salary hikes such as energy and consumer goods companies are expecting increases of 4.3% and 4.1%, respectively. Additionally, the life sciences and high-tech sectors are primed for a 4% salary increment. Despite the escalating cost of living, driven mainly by high rent prices, the UAE remains an attractive destination for opportunities in high-demand fields.
1. Singapore
Average Salary: $51,921
While Singapore is generally known for high salaries, in 2023, the country saw a downturn in tech salaries, yet specific roles witnessed major wage hikes. For example, data scientists saw an 11.3% increase, followed by systems analysts at 8.27%, cybersecurity engineers at 8.24%, and quality assurance professionals at 8.01%. Nodeflair’s report, which analyzed over 422,000 data points, attributed the increase in data scientist compensation to a growing interest in generative AI. The report also linked the rise in cybersecurity engineer salaries to increased cyber threats in the Asia-Pacific region.
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