Key Facts: Brazil vs Libya Wages
- Brazil Minimum Wage
- R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Brazil Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- R$3,200 /mo ($636.88 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment (2026-03-02), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Brazil
Libya
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Brazil is roughly 63 times lower than in Libya in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Brazil at $637/mo compared to $370/mo in Libya. GDP per capita (PPP) in Brazil is 1.6x that of Libya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Brazil has higher GDP per capita ($22,338 vs $14,304). Brazil's unemployment rate is 6.0% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Brazil | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | R$7.37 $1.47 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | R$54.04 $10.76 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | R$1,621 $322.62 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | R$21,073 $4,194.05 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | R$3,200 /mo $636.88 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | R$2,700 /mo $537.37 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | R$22,800 /yr $4,537.76 | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Brazil is higher.
Work Week
- Brazil
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Constitutional limit of 44 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Overtime minimum 50% premium (often higher by collective agreement). Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Brazil earns 6213% less per hour in USD terms than one in Libya. Standard work weeks differ: Brazil mandates 44 hours while Libya mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Brazil are $65 vs $4,444 in Libya.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Brazil
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Brazil or Libya?
In Brazil, the minimum wage is R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 6213% 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 Brazil may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Brazil compared to Libya?
The average gross salary in Brazil is R$3,200/mo ($636.88 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Brazil earn approximately 72% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Brazil and Libya is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brazil earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Libya.
How do work hours compare between Brazil and Libya?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Brazil. Workers in Brazil work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Brazil 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 Brazil and Libya?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Brazil has the higher GDP per capita at $22,338, which is 1.6x that of Libya at $14,304. From Brazil'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.