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Key Facts: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Sierra Leone Wages

Bosnia and Herzegovina Minimum Wage
KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD)
Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
Bosnia and Herzegovina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
KM1,870 /mo ($1,126.51 USD)
Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
Data Sources
Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHAS) (2026-02-25), 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)

Bosnia and Herzegovina flag Bosnia and Herzegovina Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Updated 2026-05-04

Bosnia and Herzegovina flag Bosnia and Herzegovina

Minimum Wage

KM5.75 /hr

$3.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

KM1,870 /mo

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Minimum Wage

Le600 /mo

$25.97 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Le2,500 /mo

Min wage: -87% Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Sierra Leone Avg. salary: +941% Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Sierra Leone

The minimum wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina is roughly 7 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,127/mo in Bosnia and Herzegovina versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 10.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 7.1x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has higher GDP per capita ($25,043 vs $3,522). Bosnia and Herzegovina's unemployment rate is 11.0% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sierra Leone
Metric Bosnia and Herzegovina Sierra Leone
Minimum wage /hr KM5.75 $3.46
Minimum wage /mo KM1,000 $602.41 Le600 $25.97
Minimum wage /yr KM12,000 $7,228.92
Avg. gross salary /mo KM1,870 /mo $1,126.51 Le2,500 /mo $108.23
Avg. net salary /mo KM1,314 /mo $791.57 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr KM10,800 /yr $6,506.02 Le4,200 /yr $181.82

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bosnia and Herzegovina is higher.

Work Week

Bosnia and Herzegovina

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.3x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week in FBiH and 4 hours per day in RS. Overtime premium at least 30%. Night work premium at least 30%. Weekend work premium at least 20%. Holiday work premium at least 50%.

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 Bosnia and Herzegovina earns 650% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone.

See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Compare Bosnia and Herzegovina with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Bosnia and Herzegovina or Sierra Leone?

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the minimum wage is KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 650% 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Bosnia and Herzegovina compared to Sierra Leone?

The average gross salary in Bosnia and Herzegovina is KM1,870/mo ($1,126.51 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina earn approximately 941% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.

How do work hours compare between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sierra Leone?

Both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sierra Leone mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sierra Leone?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bosnia and Herzegovina has the higher GDP per capita at $25,043, which is 7.1x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Bosnia and Herzegovina'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.