Real people talk pay: Asia and Pacific

Luxembourg’s luxuries fund lifelines to India

With its high salaries, Luxembourg draws many workers from around the world. A growing number of Indian citizens work there to support their families back home.

Border lines: Malaysia – Singapore

Sharmin Nishaa commutes between her home in Johor Bahru and her job in Singapore via the world’s busiest land border crossing: the Johor–Singapore Causeway.

Border lines: Bangladesh – India

The India-Bangladesh barrier is the longest border wall in the world — spanning 80% of the boundary between the two nations — and Benapole–Petrapole is its busiest crossing.

The DMZ gift shop worker

Tourists visiting the border between South Korea and North Korea want souvenirs, and Wanbae Lee supplies them.

Giving back during Ramadan in Indonesia

In the past decade, Indonesia has seen a big increase in charitable giving. Our photographer takes you to the streets of Jakarta during this Muslim holy month when giving is at its peak.

A commercial diver navigates the deep

About 3,700 people in Australia are certified to work as commercial divers, one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.

How 6 people in Hong Kong earn their dollars

More than 7 million people live in this Special Administrative Region of China.

The motorbiking polio worker in Pakistan

Musarat Durani risks backlash and dehydration in her mission to vaccinate children against polio.

How 6 people in Kolkata earn their rupees

We took to the streets of Kolkata, India, to ask people about their first and future paychecks.

A full-time ninja carries on ancient traditions

Kunoichi — female ninjas — have played a special role in the history of Japan, and exist to this day.

The ‘modern-day heroes’ funding Filipino families

More than 120,000 Filipinos work in Hong Kong, primarily as household help. The money they earn abroad is essential for their families’ futures. Their biggest investment? Education.

How 6 people in Beijing earn their yuans

China’s capital city is hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics in February. We asked six Beijingers about their first and future paychecks.