Key Facts: Afghanistan vs Italy Wages
- Afghanistan Minimum Wage
- ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD)
- Italy Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Afghanistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ؋30,000 /mo ($474.83 USD)
- Italy Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,600 /mo ($3,027.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour and Social Policies (Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali) (2026-02-24)
Afghanistan
Italy
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike Italy, which has no statutory minimum wage, Afghanistan mandates a wage floor of $87/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $475/mo in Afghanistan versus $3,028/mo in Italy, a 6.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Italy is 28.2x that of Afghanistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Afghanistan has lower GDP per capita ($2,202 vs $62,014). Afghanistan's unemployment rate is 13.3% compared to Italy's 6.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Afghanistan | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ؋5,500 $87.05 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ؋30,000 /mo $474.83 | €2,600 /mo $3,027.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ؋26,000 /mo $411.52 | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €22,500 /yr $26,202.40 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Afghanistan is higher.
Work Week
- Afghanistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (last version under previous government) set 40 hours/week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Under Taliban administration, Thursday is sometimes also observed as a rest day. Women's employment is severely restricted under Taliban policies.
- Italy
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Legislative Decree 66/2003). Maximum average weekly hours including overtime is 48 hours over a 4-month reference period, per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime compensation is regulated by collective agreements, typically 15-30% surcharge depending on hours and sector.
See this comparison from Italy's perspective: Italy vs Afghanistan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Afghanistan or Italy?
In Afghanistan, the minimum wage is ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD). In Italy, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Afghanistan compared to Italy?
The average gross salary in Afghanistan is ؋30,000/mo ($474.83 USD), compared to €2,600/mo ($3,027.83 USD) in Italy. In USD terms, workers in Afghanistan earn approximately 538% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Afghanistan and Italy is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Italy earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Afghanistan.
How do work hours compare between Afghanistan and Italy?
Both Afghanistan and Italy mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Afghanistan and Italy?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Italy has the higher GDP per capita at $62,014, which is 28.2x that of Afghanistan at $2,202. From Afghanistan's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.