Key Facts: Belize vs Djibouti Wages
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25)
Belize
Djibouti
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Belize is roughly 79 times lower than in Djibouti in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Belize at $900/mo compared to $675/mo in Djibouti. GDP per capita (PPP) in Belize is 1.8x that of Djibouti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Belize has higher GDP per capita ($14,347 vs $7,810). Belize's unemployment rate is 8.9% compared to Djibouti's 26.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Belize | Djibouti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BZ$5 $2.50 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Fdj1,400 $7.88 |
| Minimum wage /mo | BZ$975 $487.50 | Fdj35,000 $196.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BZ$11,700 $5,850 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Belize is higher.
Work Week
- Belize
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
- Djibouti
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Arabic and French are official languages. The labour force is supplemented by a large number of migrant workers from Ethiopia and Somalia.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Belize earns 7778% less per hour in USD terms than one in Djibouti. Standard work weeks differ: Belize mandates 45 hours while Djibouti mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Belize are $113 vs $7,878 in Djibouti.
See this comparison from Djibouti's perspective: Djibouti vs Belize
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Belize or Djibouti?
In Belize, the minimum wage is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). In Djibouti, it is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). Djibouti has the higher rate by 7778% 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 Belize may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Belize compared to Djibouti?
The average gross salary in Belize is BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD), compared to Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD) in Djibouti. In USD terms, workers in Belize earn approximately 33% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Belize and Djibouti is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Belize earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Djibouti.
How do work hours compare between Belize and Djibouti?
Belize has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Djibouti. Workers in Belize work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Djibouti 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 Belize and Djibouti?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Belize has the higher GDP per capita at $14,347, which is 1.8x that of Djibouti at $7,810. From Belize'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.