Key Facts: Argentina vs Somalia Wages
- Argentina Minimum Wage
- ARS1,762/hr ($1.64 USD)
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Argentina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ARS850,000 /mo ($792.91 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Consejo Nacional del Empleo, la Productividad y el Salario Mínimo, Vital y Móvil — verified directly via argentina.gob.ar/trabajo/consejodelsalario (primary source) (2026-05-04), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25)
Argentina
Somalia
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike Somalia, which has no statutory minimum wage, Argentina mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $793/mo in Argentina versus $263/mo in Somalia, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Argentina is 19.0x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Argentina has higher GDP per capita ($30,431 vs $1,602). Argentina's unemployment rate is 7.2% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Argentina | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ARS1,762 $1.64 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | ARS352,400 $328.73 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | ARS4,581,200 $4,273.51 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ARS850,000 /mo $792.91 | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ARS700,000 /mo $652.99 | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 |
| Median individual income /yr | ARS5,400,000 /yr $5,037.31 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Argentina is higher.
Work Week
- Argentina
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Legal maximum of 48 hours/week (8 hours/day for daytime work). Overtime on regular days is 50% premium; Saturdays after 1pm, Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
- 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.
See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs Argentina
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Argentina or Somalia?
In Argentina, the minimum wage is ARS1,762/hr ($1.64 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Argentina compared to Somalia?
The average gross salary in Argentina is ARS850,000/mo ($792.91 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Argentina earn approximately 202% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Argentina and Somalia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Argentina earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Somalia.
How do work hours compare between Argentina and Somalia?
Both Argentina and Somalia mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Argentina and Somalia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Argentina has the higher GDP per capita at $30,431, which is 19.0x that of Somalia at $1,602. From Argentina'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.