Viral Video: Americans are Shocked to Discover How Low Indonesia’s Minimum Wage is

Share:

A video of Americans being shocked when they discovered that the minimum wage in Indonesia was going viral on social media, and various reactions were shown; they even looked worried about Indonesians having to live with such a low salary.

The viral video uploaded by Indonesian digital creator, @stevenapriliano, through his TikTok account, shows how Americans look confused and surprised at how Indonesians can survive and buy their daily necessities with such a small wage.

In the viral video, Tepen interviews Americans about the estimated monthly salary of Indonesians.

Viral Video: Americans are Shocked to Discover How Low Indonesia’s Minimum Wage is
Source Tiktok

The Americans then estimated that the salaries received by Indonesians each month reached tens of millions of rupiah at a minimum.

The first person Tepen interviewed was an American woman; when asked, she thought Indonesians were paid USD 5,000, or around IDR 75 million per month.

@stevenapriliano Berapa ya kira2 pendapatan orang di Indonesia menurut orang Amerika ? 🇲🇨🇺🇸 Jumlah penghasilan diambil dari rata2 UMR pekerja tetap / pekerja biasa di Indonesia ya #kerjadiamerika #hidupdiamerika #fyp #fypシ ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Tepen immediately refuted the woman’s guess about the minimum wage in Indonesia.

The second person interviewed by Tepen said Indonesians earn salaries of USD 2,000, or around IDR 30 million per month. But the second person’s guess was also wrong.

Finally, Tepen told those Americans that the average salary that Indonesians receive per month is around USD 300, or around IDR 4.5 million.

All those Americans that Tepen interviewed seemed genuinely shocked at how low the minimum wage in Indonesia is.

“What? That’s insane,” said the woman who Tepen interviewed.

It continued; Tepen asked other Americans about the monthly salary Indonesians receive.

This time he interviewed an American man as the third respondent in the video.

The man answered that the salary of Indonesians is estimated at USD 3,000 a month, or around IDR 45 million.

However, when told that the average Indonesian receives a salary of USD 300 a month or around IDR 4.5 million, the man looked baffled.

He couldn’t believe how low the wages of Indonesian citizens were and, at first, thought that Tepen was lying to him.

On average, all the Americans interviewed by Tepen said they were surprised by the monthly income of Indonesians. They admitted they were baffled about how Indonesians could survive with such a low wage.

Interested in this topic? Check out our other articles from Social Expat: 

Share:

Content Writer

Being in love with writing at a young age, Anasya is eager to play with words and touch hearts. She’s been a content writer for a little over four years and officially be part of Social Expat in March 2023. Her perfectionism drives her to give her best on every project she handles.

Related News

The death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday, 15 August 2026, has risen to 68, with 213 people reported injured, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), as reported by ANTARA News. The earthquake struck Flores early on Saturday morning, with its epicentre near Nagekeo in […]

Moving to a new city such as Jakarta involves many adjustments, including navigating the healthcare system. For expatriates, dental care is often one of the first services they seek, whether for routine check-ups, preventive care or urgent treatment. Understanding what to expect and how to prepare can make the experience smoother, safer and more reassuring. […]

Jakarta’s nightlife continues to evolve, offering everything from sophisticated rooftop lounges to intimate hidden cocktail bars. Are you looking for panoramic skyline views, expertly crafted drinks, live entertainment, or an elegant setting for a special evening? There is always a venue to suit every occasion. Many of the Jakarta best bars focus on more than […]

Looking for the best expat event August has to offer? This month, Social Expat presents an exciting line-up of social gatherings and business networking experiences designed for internationals, professionals, entrepreneurs, and locals who enjoy meeting new people. Whether you’re new to Jakarta, visiting Indonesia, or already part of the thriving expat community, these events provide […]

Expat Events

Indonesia Visas

Expat Event

Social Networking
IDR 200.000
Sky Pool, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski
Social Networking
IDR 150.000
Amigos Kemang
Social Networking
IDR 170.000
Poolside, Grand Hyatt Jakarta

Indonesia Guide

Just For Fun

Write For Us

Exclusive Promotions

Event Gallery