Key Facts: Albania vs Finland Wages
- Albania Minimum Wage
- L287/hr ($3.51 USD)
- Finland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Albania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L83,000 /mo ($1,015.04 USD)
- Finland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Finance and Economy / Council of Ministers of Albania (2026-02-25), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö) (2026-02-24)
Albania
Finland
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Finland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Albania mandates a wage floor of $4/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,015/mo in Albania versus $4,542/mo in Finland, a 4.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Finland is 2.4x that of Albania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Albania has lower GDP per capita ($26,702 vs $65,378). Albania's unemployment rate is 10.9% compared to Finland's 9.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Albania | Finland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L287 $3.51 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | L50,000 $611.47 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | L600,000 $7,337.65 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L83,000 /mo $1,015.04 | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L66,000 /mo $807.14 | €2,700 /mo $3,144.29 |
| Median individual income /yr | L480,000 /yr $5,870.12 | €35,000 /yr $40,759.29 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Albania is higher.
Work Week
- Albania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Overtime premium minimum 25% above standard rate. Weekend/holiday work premium minimum 50%. Maximum 200 hours overtime per year. Cannot exceed 48 hours in any single week except exceptional circumstances.
- Finland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Working Hours Act / Työaikalaki). Regular daily working hours are 8 hours. Overtime for the first 2 hours is compensated at 150% and subsequent hours at 200%. Maximum overtime is 250 hours per calendar year. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
See this comparison from Finland's perspective: Finland vs Albania
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Albania or Finland?
In Albania, the minimum wage is L287/hr ($3.51 USD). In Finland, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Albania compared to Finland?
The average gross salary in Albania is L83,000/mo ($1,015.04 USD), compared to €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD) in Finland. In USD terms, workers in Albania earn approximately 347% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Albania and Finland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Finland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Albania.
How do work hours compare between Albania and Finland?
Both Albania and Finland 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 Albania and Finland?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Finland has the higher GDP per capita at $65,378, which is 2.4x that of Albania at $26,702. From Albania'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.