Key Facts: Afghanistan vs Serbia Wages
- Afghanistan Minimum Wage
- ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD)
- Serbia Minimum Wage
- RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD)
- Afghanistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ؋30,000 /mo ($474.83 USD)
- Serbia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RSD110,000 /mo ($1,023.26 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (2026-02-24)
Afghanistan
Serbia
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Afghanistan is roughly 35 times higher than in Serbia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $475/mo in Afghanistan versus $1,023/mo in Serbia, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Serbia is 14.9x that of Afghanistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Afghanistan has lower GDP per capita ($2,202 vs $32,832). Afghanistan's unemployment rate is 13.3% compared to Serbia's 7.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Afghanistan | Serbia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | RSD271 $2.52 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | RSD2,168 $20.17 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ؋5,500 $87.05 | RSD47,000 $437.21 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | RSD564,000 $5,246.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ؋30,000 /mo $474.83 | RSD110,000 /mo $1,023.26 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ؋26,000 /mo $411.52 | RSD80,000 /mo $744.19 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | RSD600,000 /yr $5,581.40 |
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.
- Serbia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.26x pay
Labour Law sets full-time working hours at 40/week. Overtime: minimum 26% surcharge. Night work (22:00-06:00): minimum 26% surcharge. Holiday work: minimum 110% surcharge. Maximum overtime is 8 hours/week. Reduced working hours (36 or fewer) for hazardous occupations.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Serbia to Afghanistan would see a 3353% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Serbia's perspective: Serbia vs Afghanistan
Compare Afghanistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Afghanistan or Serbia?
In Afghanistan, the minimum wage is ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD). In Serbia, it is RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD). Afghanistan has the higher rate by 3353% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Serbia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Afghanistan compared to Serbia?
The average gross salary in Afghanistan is ؋30,000/mo ($474.83 USD), compared to RSD110,000/mo ($1,023.26 USD) in Serbia. In USD terms, workers in Afghanistan earn approximately 115% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Afghanistan and Serbia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Serbia 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 Serbia?
Both Afghanistan and Serbia 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 Serbia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Serbia has the higher GDP per capita at $32,832, which is 14.9x 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.