Key Facts: Bolivia vs Sierra Leone Wages
- Bolivia Minimum Wage
- Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD)
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Bolivia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs4,200 /mo ($607.81 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social; 2024 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-05-01) (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)
Bolivia
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bolivia is roughly 14 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $608/mo in Bolivia versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 5.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bolivia is 3.7x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bolivia has higher GDP per capita ($12,878 vs $3,522). Bolivia's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bolivia | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs13.02 $1.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs83.33 $12.06 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs2,500 $361.79 | Le600 $25.97 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Bs32,500 $4,703.33 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs4,200 /mo $607.81 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Bs3,780 /mo $547.03 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | Bs21,600 /yr $3,125.90 | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bolivia is higher.
Work Week
- Bolivia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
General Labour Law (Ley General del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 40 hours for night work, and 44 for mixed shifts. Overtime is paid at 100% surcharge (double pay). Sunday is the mandatory rest day.
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Bolivia earns 1278% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone. Standard work weeks differ: Bolivia mandates 48 hours while Sierra Leone mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bolivia are $90 vs $1,039 in Sierra Leone.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Bolivia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bolivia or Sierra Leone?
In Bolivia, the minimum wage is Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 1278% 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 Bolivia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bolivia compared to Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in Bolivia is Bs4,200/mo ($607.81 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Bolivia earn approximately 462% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bolivia and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bolivia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Bolivia and Sierra Leone?
Bolivia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sierra Leone. Workers in Bolivia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sierra Leone 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 Bolivia and Sierra Leone?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bolivia has the higher GDP per capita at $12,878, which is 3.7x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Bolivia'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.