Key Facts: Algeria vs Brazil Wages
- Algeria Minimum Wage
- DZD138.46/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Brazil Minimum Wage
- R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD)
- Algeria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- DZD55,000 /mo ($405.90 USD)
- Brazil Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- R$3,200 /mo ($636.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- Council of Ministers / Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Sécurité Sociale — Algeria (2026-02-25), Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment (2026-03-02)
Algeria
Brazil
Updated 2026-03-02
Algeria, a lower-middle-income economy, and Brazil, classified as upper-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average salaries are lower in Algeria at $406/mo compared to $637/mo in Brazil. Brazil has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 6.0% compared to 11.6%.
From Algeria's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Algeria's minimum wage buys about the same as Brazil's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Algeria is $3 international dollars, compared to $3 in Brazil. Algeria has lower GDP per capita ($17,621 vs $22,338). Algeria's unemployment rate is 11.6% compared to Brazil's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Algeria | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | DZD138.46 $1.02 | R$7.37 $1.47 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | R$54.04 $10.76 |
| Minimum wage /mo | DZD24,000 $177.12 | R$1,621 $322.62 |
| Minimum wage /yr | DZD288,000 $2,125.46 | R$21,073 $4,194.05 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | DZD55,000 /mo $405.90 | R$3,200 /mo $636.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | DZD43,000 /mo $317.34 | R$2,700 /mo $537.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | DZD300,000 /yr $2,214.02 | R$22,800 /yr $4,537.76 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Algeria is higher.
Work Week
- Algeria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (Law 90-11) sets standard working hours at 40 per week for most sectors and 44 hours for certain sectors. Weekly rest is Friday and Saturday. Overtime paid at 150% of normal rate for first 4 hours and 200% for subsequent hours.
- Brazil
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Constitutional limit of 44 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Overtime minimum 50% premium (often higher by collective agreement). Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Algeria earns 44% less per hour in USD terms than one in Brazil. However, after adjusting for cost of living, Algeria's minimum wage provides more purchasing power. Standard work weeks differ: Algeria mandates 40 hours while Brazil mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Algeria are $41 vs $65 in Brazil.
See this comparison from Brazil's perspective: Brazil vs Algeria
Compare Algeria with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Algeria or Brazil?
In Algeria, the minimum wage is DZD138.46/hr ($1.02 USD). In Brazil, it is R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD). Brazil has the higher rate by 44% 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 Algeria may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Algeria compared to Brazil?
The average gross salary in Algeria is DZD55,000/mo ($405.90 USD), compared to R$3,200/mo ($636.88 USD) in Brazil. In USD terms, workers in Algeria earn approximately 57% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Algeria and Brazil is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brazil earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Algeria.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Algeria or Brazil?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Algeria can afford more than those in Brazil. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3 in Algeria and $3 in Brazil. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 7% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Brazil appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Algeria and Brazil?
Brazil has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Algeria. Workers in Algeria work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Algeria 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 Algeria and Brazil?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Brazil has the higher GDP per capita at $22,338, which is 1.3x that of Algeria at $17,621. From Algeria'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.