Glossary/13th-month salary
Pay
13th-month salary
Brazil's 13th salary is statutory, usually in two instalments, with INSS and FGTS on top. The Philippines' 13th month is statutory. Indonesia's THR is a statutory extra month tied to the employee's religious holiday. Spain typically pays in 14 instalments (including two extras) rather than a single 13th.
Singapore's AWS is customary, not required by the Employment Act. Malaysia does not mandate a 13th month. ArkTalents monthly salary tables are gross base; these extras sit outside the monthly number unless a country note says otherwise.
Countries
Where this shows up
FAQ
Questions we get
- Is a 13th month the same in every country?
- No. Some are statutory (Brazil, the Philippines, Indonesia's THR). Some are 14 payments (Spain). Some are customary (Singapore AWS). Read the country hiring guide before you model cost.
- Do salary-guide figures include the 13th?
- No. The tables are monthly gross base. Brazil excludes the 13th; Spain divides annual cash by 14; Mexico excludes Aguinaldo and PTU.
Related
Other terms
THR (Indonesia)
Tunjangan Hari Raya: Indonesia's statutory religious-holiday allowance, generally one month's wages after a year of service, paid at least seven days before the employee's holiday.
Tet bonus
The Lunar New Year payment in Vietnam. It is customary and commercially expected, not a single statutory 13th-month formula in the Labour Code.
Aguinaldo
Mexico's statutory year-end payment: at least 15 days' salary, due by 20 December, under Article 87 of the Federal Labour Law.
Monthly gross
Base pay for one month in local currency, before bonus, allowances, and employer social contributions. This is the basis of the ArkTalents 2026 salary tables.
FGTS (Brazil)
Fundo de Garantia do Tempo de Serviço: an 8% monthly employer deposit on Brazilian CLT pay, including on the 13th salary, held in the employee's name.
Reviewed 11 September 2026. Statutory figures follow the country hiring guides. This is a briefing for multinational employers, not legal advice. For Brazil, start with the hiring guide.
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