Key Facts: Algeria vs Somalia Wages
- Algeria Minimum Wage
- DZD138.46/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Algeria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- DZD55,000 /mo ($405.90 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Council of Ministers / Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Sécurité Sociale — Algeria (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25)
Algeria
Somalia
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Somalia, which has no statutory minimum wage, Algeria mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average salaries are higher in Algeria at $406/mo compared to $263/mo in Somalia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Algeria is 11.0x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Algeria has higher GDP per capita ($17,621 vs $1,602). Algeria's unemployment rate is 11.6% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Algeria | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | DZD138.46 $1.02 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | DZD24,000 $177.12 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | DZD288,000 $2,125.46 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | DZD55,000 /mo $405.90 | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | DZD43,000 /mo $317.34 | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 |
| Median individual income /yr | DZD300,000 /yr $2,214.02 | N/A/yr |
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.
- 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: Algeria mandates 40 hours while Somalia mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs Algeria
Compare Algeria with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Algeria or Somalia?
In Algeria, the minimum wage is DZD138.46/hr ($1.02 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Algeria compared to Somalia?
The average gross salary in Algeria is DZD55,000/mo ($405.90 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Algeria earn approximately 55% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Algeria and Somalia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Algeria earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Somalia.
How do work hours compare between Algeria and Somalia?
Somalia has a longer standard work week at 48 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 Somalia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Algeria has the higher GDP per capita at $17,621, which is 11.0x that of Somalia at $1,602. From Algeria'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.