Key Facts: Brunei vs Djibouti Wages
- Brunei Minimum Wage
- B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD)
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Brunei Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$2,500 /mo ($1,968.50 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Labour Department, Ministry of Home Affairs — Brunei Darussalam (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25)
Brunei
Djibouti
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Brunei is roughly 95 times lower than in Djibouti in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,969/mo in Brunei versus $675/mo in Djibouti, a 2.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Brunei is 11.5x that of Djibouti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Brunei has higher GDP per capita ($89,879 vs $7,810). Brunei's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Djibouti's 26.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Brunei | Djibouti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | B$2.62 $2.06 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Fdj1,400 $7.88 |
| Minimum wage /mo | B$500 $393.70 | Fdj35,000 $196.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | B$6,000 $4,724.41 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | B$2,500 /mo $1,968.50 | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | B$2,500 /mo $1,968.50 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | B$18,000 /yr $14,173.23 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Brunei is higher.
Work Week
- Brunei
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard working hours are 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week under the Employment Order, 2009. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. During Ramadan, Muslim workers typically work 6 hours/day. The government sector generally works 37.5-40 hours/week.
- 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 Brunei earns 9446% less per hour in USD terms than one in Djibouti. Standard work weeks differ: Brunei mandates 44 hours while Djibouti mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Brunei are $91 vs $7,878 in Djibouti.
See this comparison from Djibouti's perspective: Djibouti vs Brunei
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Brunei or Djibouti?
In Brunei, the minimum wage is B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD). In Djibouti, it is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). Djibouti has the higher rate by 9446% 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 Brunei may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Brunei compared to Djibouti?
The average gross salary in Brunei is B$2,500/mo ($1,968.50 USD), compared to Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD) in Djibouti. In USD terms, workers in Brunei earn approximately 192% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Brunei and Djibouti is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brunei earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Djibouti.
How do work hours compare between Brunei and Djibouti?
Brunei has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Djibouti. Workers in Brunei work 44 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 Brunei and Djibouti?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Brunei has the higher GDP per capita at $89,879, which is 11.5x that of Djibouti at $7,810. From Brunei'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.