Key Facts: Albania vs Somalia Wages
- Albania Minimum Wage
- L287/hr ($3.51 USD)
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Albania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L83,000 /mo ($1,015.04 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Finance and Economy / Council of Ministers of Albania (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25)
Albania
Somalia
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Somalia, 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 $263/mo in Somalia, a 3.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Albania is 16.7x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Albania has higher GDP per capita ($26,702 vs $1,602). Albania's unemployment rate is 10.9% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Albania | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L66,000 /mo $807.14 | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 |
| Median individual income /yr | L480,000 /yr $5,870.12 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Somalia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
No reliable standardised workweek provisions are enforced. Friday is the weekly rest day. Labour conditions vary widely between sectors — from formal NGO employment with international standards to highly exploitative informal arrangements. Somaliland and Puntland have some locally administered labour rules.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Albania mandates 40 hours while Somalia mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs Albania
Compare Albania with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Albania or Somalia?
In Albania, the minimum wage is L287/hr ($3.51 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Albania compared to Somalia?
The average gross salary in Albania is L83,000/mo ($1,015.04 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Albania earn approximately 286% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Albania and Somalia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Albania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Somalia.
How do work hours compare between Albania and Somalia?
Somalia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Albania. Workers in Albania work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Albania working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Albania and Somalia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Albania has the higher GDP per capita at $26,702, which is 16.7x that of Somalia at $1,602. From Albania's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.