Streaming giant Netflix is a staple for scores of movie and series lovers, with more than 300 million memberships worldwide as of 2025. For people in some countries earning within the median income range, Netflix is no great expense, but for others, as our study of Netflix prices by country reveals, it can take days of work just to afford the cheapest subscription.
To find out where it’s easiest and most difficult to afford Netflix, the Cloudwards research team gathered data on the estimated median income and Netflix plan pricing in 100 countries.
We then did some calculations (see the methodology section for more on this) to get an idea of how many working hours it would take to afford Netflix in each country. Stay tuned to learn how your country fares in the ranking.
Key Findings: What We Learned About Netflix Subscription Costs
Our analysis of the data reveals the following:
- Netflix Standard: You’d have to work the least (24 minutes) in Norway to afford Netflix Standard. Luxembourg and Iceland closely follow. In Rwanda, it would take 35 hours, 12 minutes (4 days, 3 hours in work days). Other African countries, like Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Niger, join Rwanda at the bottom of the rankings.
- Netflix Basic: It would take just 17 minutes to afford the cheapest Netflix tier for someone in Luxembourg on a median salary. Australia, Norway and Germany aren’t far behind. Meanwhile, it would take someone in Rwanda 17 hours, 35 minutes (2 days, 2 hours).
- Netflix Premium: The average earner would need to work for just 35 minutes to pay for Netflix Premium in Luxembourg and Norway. In Rwanda, it would take a whopping 44 hours, 1 minute (5 days, 4 hours).
How Many Minutes of Work Does Netflix Cost in Every Country?
In a nutshell, it can take someone earning in the median salary range anywhere from 24 minutes to more than 35 hours of work to afford a standard Netflix subscription.
We created these rankings by dividing the monthly median income in each country by 10,560 minutes — the number of minutes worked over 22 eight-hour workdays — and dividing the price of the Netflix plan by income per minute. We’ll explain more about this in our methodology section, but for now, cast your eye over the rankings.
Where Is Netflix the Most Affordable?
Though Netflix plans are more expensive in some locations, for those earning an “average” salary in a country where the median income is high, even the pricier subscriptions may be just a drop in the ocean. In some countries, like Slovenia, the median income is well balanced with cheaper Netflix subscription pricing.
This is why, instead of basing our analysis on pricing alone when determining affordability, we focused on how much someone in the median salary range would have to work to pay their subscription fees. Keep scrolling to discover the top 10 countries where you wouldn’t have to work for long to afford a Netflix Standard plan.
Countries Where You Have to Work Less to Afford Netflix Standard
1. Norway
- Standard plan monthly cost: $12.46
- Median salary (monthly): $5,434.05
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 24 minutes
Rich in natural resources and renowned for its booming oil industry, Norway is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. Surprisingly, its Netflix Standard pricing is much more reasonable than in some of its European neighbors. This perfect balance puts Norway at the top of the ranking in this category.
2. Luxembourg
- Standard plan monthly cost: $17.13
- Median salary (monthly): $6,913.65
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 26 minutes
It comes as little surprise that the world’s richest nation sits near the top of the ranking. Despite the median salary being higher than in Norway, it has one of the priciest Netflix Standard subscriptions in the world, putting it in second place. Still, it’s cheaper than in Switzerland (ranked 16th and the third-richest country), where the same subscription costs $25.73.
3. Iceland
- Standard plan monthly cost: $17.13
- Median salary (monthly): $6,062.20
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 30 minutes
Like other Nordic countries, Iceland has a sturdy economy thanks largely to its fish and aluminum exports. Though a Netflix Standard plan is on the pricier end of the spectrum in the land of fire and ice, it’s likely not too much of a stretch for people within the median salary range. Iceland also has a large Netflix library of more than 7,600 titles, according to data from uNoGS.
4. Belgium
- Standard plan monthly cost: $17.13
- Median salary: $5,371.07
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 34 minutes
With a work time of just 34 minutes required to afford a subscription, Belgium takes fourth place. Though its Netflix pricing is higher, the median salary is in the same league as many Nordic countries. Based on estimates, a single person’s monthly living costs come to around $2,368, so individuals on a median salary should be able to comfortably afford Netflix.
5. The Netherlands
- Standard plan monthly cost: $15.98
- Median salary: $4,674.83
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 36 minutes
Despite having a lower median salary than the countries above it in our ranking, the Netherlands has one of the world’s highest costs of living: It’s ranked second in Europe after Switzerland. Nevertheless, Netflix Standard is technically affordable for the average individual earner. Plus, the content library of more than 7,400 titles is pretty extensive.
6. United States
- Standard plan monthly cost: $17.99
- Median salary (monthly): $5,087.51
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 37 minutes
Based on our findings, it wouldn’t take long to afford a monthly Netflix subscription in the U.S. That said, OECD data shows that the U.S. has a higher poverty rate than other developed countries, so despite the high estimated median salary, many likely opt out of subscriptions to streaming platforms.
7. Slovenia
- Standard plan monthly cost: $9.13
- Median salary (monthly): $2,539.21
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 38 minutes
Slovenia, known for its high quality of life and stable economy, is the only Central European country to grace the top 10 owing to its lower-than-average Netflix Standard pricing. Moreover, its estimated median salary, though not the best in the region, is higher than that of many of its Central European neighbors.
8. Australia
- Standard plan monthly cost: $13.98
- Median salary (monthly): $3,770.77
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 39 minutes
Though Australia’s median income is lower than that of most others in the top 10, so is its Netflix Standard pricing. Technically, it would take just over half an hour of work to pay for it.
However, according to Expatisan, living costs down under are pricier than in 82% of countries, with an estimated monthly cost of $3,120 for a single person and $5,458 for a family of four. Considering the estimated median salary is $3,770, a Netflix plan could quickly become costly for some. On the bright side, at the time of writing, Australia has a decent-sized (but not the most extensive) content library of more than 6,900 titles.
9. Finland
- Standard plan monthly cost: $15.98
- Median salary (monthly): $4,374.44
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 39 minutes
It comes as no surprise that Finland, deemed the world’s happiest country by the World Population Review, rounds out the top 10. The past two years saw Finland face a recession; however, its GDP is forecast to climb, and unemployment rates are expected to drop over 2025 and 2026.
10. Germany
- Standard plan monthly cost: $15.96
- Median salary (monthly): $4,344.61
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 39 minutes
Germany, the third-largest economy in the world, is in joint ninth place with Finland, with a similar median salary and Netflix Standard subscription cost. However, the country’s poverty rates aren’t looking good, with around 13 million struggling to make ends meet. To make matters worse, the median monthly income for those living in poverty dropped even lower in 2024.
Where Is Netflix the Most Expensive?
In some countries, a Netflix Standard plan costs as little as $2.82 (Pakistan), but a lower subscription price doesn’t necessarily mean Netflix is easily affordable. In the following countries, it could take the average person days of work just to keep their Netflix account active.
Countries Where You Have to Work More to Afford Netflix Standard
1. Rwanda
- Standard plan monthly cost: $7.99
- Median salary (monthly): $39.95
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 35 hours, 12 minutes
In a country where 43% of people don’t have access to safe drinking water and the median average monthly salary is just under $40, it’s simply unrealistic for the average person to cough up $7.99 per month for Netflix. You’d have to put in 4 days, 3 hours of work just to pay for a Standard subscription.
2. Ethiopia
- Standard plan monthly cost: $7.99
- Median salary (monthly): $81.52
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 17 hours, 15 minutes
Individuals on a median salary in Ethiopia would have to work for 2 days, 1 hour to afford Netflix Standard. Even if someone were to raise the money for a subscription, their local Ethiopian bank card may not work with Netflix, according to EverTry. The World Population Review indicates that only around 30,000 people in the country were subscribed to Netflix as of 2024.
3. Zimbabwe
- Standard plan monthly cost: $7.99
- Median salary (monthly): $98.60
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 14 hours, 16 minutes
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on Zimbabweans’ livelihoods, pushing many into abject poverty. Even for those with a monthly income in the median range, our data shows that it would take 1 day, 6 hours to afford Netflix Standard.
4. Niger
- Standard plan monthly cost: $7.99
- Median salary: $102.34
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 13 hours, 44 minutes
Niger, long plagued by high poverty rates, natural disasters and political turmoil, is one of the world’s poorest nations. Given that many live on a daily budget of about $2.30, saving money for a Netflix subscription — which would mean working for 1 day, 6 hours — is far from a priority.
5. Bangladesh
- Standard plan monthly cost: $7.99
- Median salary (monthly): $110.33
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 12 hours, 45 minutes
There are around 300,000 Netflix subscribers in Bangladesh out of a population of 175.7 million. For the average earner in the country, where $110 is the median monthly salary, it would take 1 day, 5 hours to pay for Netflix Standard.
6. Benin
- Standard plan monthly cost: $7.99
- Median salary (monthly): $115.35
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 12 hours, 11 minutes
West African country Benin has seen economic growth of late, but the poverty rate remains high. You’d have to work for 1 day, 4 hours for one month of Netflix Standard.
7. Myanmar (Burma)
- Standard plan monthly cost: $7.99
- Median salary (monthly): $115.60
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 12 hours, 10 minutes
Myanmar is a developing country in Southeast Asia, bordered by China, Laos and Thailand. It has a population of more than 54 million but only around 300,000 Netflix users. This isn’t surprising: Myanmar matches Benin in the amount of time you’d need to work to afford Netflix Standard.
8. Sri Lanka
- Standard plan monthly cost: $7.99
- Median salary (monthly): $116.71
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 12 hours, 3 minutes
Around 87,000 people out of 21 million in Sri Lanka use Netflix. If you earn around $116 per month, a $7.99 Netflix Standard subscription is incredibly expensive. Like in Benin and Myanmar, it would take 1 day, 4 hours of work to be able to pay for it.
9. Angola
- Standard plan monthly cost: $7.99
- Median salary (monthly): $122.06
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 11 hours, 31 minutes
With more than 40% of the population under the poverty line, many Angolans struggle to afford basic necessities, never mind a streaming service subscription. Despite being one of the largest African countries, with a population of more than 39 million, only around 30,000 people subscribe to Netflix in Angola.
10. Zambia
- Standard plan monthly cost: $7.99
- Median salary (monthly): $136.26
- Time worked to afford Netflix: 10 hours, 19 minutes
According to the World Bank Group, Zambia is one of “the poorest and most unequal countries in the world,” where 64.3% get by on around $2 per day (2022 data). Our analysis reveals that the work time required to afford Netflix Standard is around 1 day, 2 hours.
How Difficult Is It to Afford Netflix Basic in Different Countries?
For the Netflix Basic rankings, Luxembourg — where it costs $11.41 and would take just 17 minutes for a median income earner to buy a subscription — takes the top spot ahead of Australia, Norway and Germany, and Canada takes a top-10 spot instead of the U.S.
Though Netflix Basic is easier to afford, those in countries at the bottom of the list would still have to put in hours or even days of work (if you’re in Rwanda) to watch Netflix each month. Many of the countries at the bottom for Netflix Standard remain there for Netflix Basic, but with a few changes.
Georgia, where it costs $10.73 for Netflix Basic and the median monthly income is $280.42, drops to ranking 96 overall; it would take 6 hours, 44 minutes of work in Georgia to afford Netflix Basic. Kyrgyzstan also falls into the bottom 10, while Angola and Zambia climb slightly.
How Difficult Is It to Afford Netflix Premium in Different Countries?
When it comes to affording Netflix Premium, the top countries are Luxembourg and Norway (35 minutes), followed by Iceland and Belgium, at 42 and 45 minutes, respectively.
The bottom 10 positions remain the same as for Netflix Standard. Rwanda is once again the country where you’d have to work the most to afford Netflix Premium: 5 days, 4 hours, to be precise.
Why Netflix Costs Vary by Country
Netflix pricing is determined for each country based on various factors, including:
- Average income: In countries where the average income is lower, pricing is adjusted to reflect that, and vice versa for countries with a high average income. However, costs are still far too high for many people in countries with extremely low median incomes, like Rwanda, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.
- Licensing costs: Netflix may adapt pricing to align with how much it costs to purchase content rights in a given country.
- Local competition: If Netflix has to compete against other streaming platforms in a certain country, it may lower its prices to retain subscribers.
Our Methodology: How We Determined Netflix Affordability by Country
To determine where Netflix is the most affordable for a median income earner, the Cloudwards research team followed the process outlined below:
1. Median Income
We took 85% of the average monthly income for each country (data from the International Labour Organization) to determine an estimated median income.
As there is no consistent median income data, this approach — commonly used in economic studies — gives us a clearer perspective on how affordable Netflix is for the average person, not just those who earn an above-average income.
2. Netflix Pricing
We used Netflix’s country pricing guide to find out how much Netflix Basic, Standard and Premium cost in each country.
Note that in some countries, like the U.S. and Canada, Netflix has replaced the Basic plan with a Standard with Ads plan, which isn’t exactly the same. However, since both options are the lowest-priced tiers in their respective countries — and in the interest of maintaining consistency — we kept the Basic and Standard with Ads plans in the same category (Basic).
3. Calculations
Finally, we performed the following calculations to work out how long it would take to afford each Netflix plan in different countries:
- Income per minute: We divided the estimated median income per month by 10,560 minutes: 22 working days x 8 hours per day x 60 minutes per hour.
- Minutes worked: We divided the Netflix plan prices by income per minute.
- Conversion: We converted the total number of minutes to an hours-and-minutes format.
- Number of workdays: Finally, we divided the total minutes by 480, which is the number of minutes in an eight-hour workday.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to Netflix affordability, data can show only part of the picture. Developing countries are hit the hardest due to incredibly low salaries and high Netflix pricing, but even those earning a median salary in some developed countries may still struggle to afford streaming services.
For example, if someone earns a decent salary but is the only one working in their family, or they’re living in an expensive area, streaming services may be an extra luxury they can’t afford.
Do you have a Netflix subscription? Do you think it’s overpriced for your location? Drop us a comment below. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: How Much Does Netflix Cost?
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Netflix costs $7.99 in the U.S. for a Standard with Ads plan and $17.99 for a Standard plan. The Premium plan costs $24.99.
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Pakistan is the cheapest country for Netflix. It costs $1.59 for Netflix Basic, $2.82 for Standard and $3.88 for Premium.
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Netflix is the most expensive in Switzerland. It costs $15.88 for Netflix Basic, $25.73 for Standard and $34.35 for Premium.
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In some countries, like the U.S., the U.K. and Canada, Netflix offers ad-supported plans. These aren’t available everywhere, though.
