Key Facts: Cambodia vs Eritrea Wages
- Cambodia Minimum Wage
- $0.88/hr
- Eritrea Minimum Wage
- Nfk600/mo ($40 USD)
- Cambodia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $300 /mo ($300 USD)
- Eritrea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nfk6,000 /mo ($400 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) — Cambodia (2026-06-01), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHCHR Eritrea reports (2026-02-25)
Cambodia
Eritrea
Updated 2026-06-01
The minimum wage in Cambodia is roughly 46 times lower than in Eritrea in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Cambodia at $300/mo compared to $400/mo in Eritrea. Cambodia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 0.3% compared to 6.0%.
Cambodia's unemployment rate is 0.3% compared to Eritrea's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cambodia | Eritrea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $0.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | $210 | Nfk600 $40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $2,520 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $300 /mo | Nfk6,000 /mo $400 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $285 /mo | Nfk5,400 /mo $360 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,800 /yr | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cambodia is higher.
Work Week
- Cambodia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (1997) sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime is paid at 150% for daytime hours and 200% for nighttime/holiday hours. Maximum overtime is limited. Workers are entitled to 1.5 days off per week (Sunday plus Saturday afternoon). Garment workers typically work 6-day weeks with piece-rate bonuses.
- Eritrea
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Labour Law sets 44 hours/week for civilian workers (8 hours/day, 5.5 days). However, the national service program operates under military regulations outside normal labour law. No reliable enforcement or monitoring data is available.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Cambodia earns 4471% less per hour in USD terms than one in Eritrea. Standard work weeks differ: Cambodia mandates 48 hours while Eritrea mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Cambodia are $42 vs $1,760 in Eritrea.
See this comparison from Eritrea's perspective: Eritrea vs Cambodia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cambodia or Eritrea?
In Cambodia, the minimum wage is $0.88/hr. In Eritrea, it is Nfk600/mo ($40 USD). Eritrea has the higher rate by 4471% 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 Cambodia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Cambodia compared to Eritrea?
The average gross salary in Cambodia is $300/mo, compared to Nfk6,000/mo ($400 USD) in Eritrea. In USD terms, workers in Cambodia earn approximately 33% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cambodia and Eritrea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Eritrea earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cambodia.
How do work hours compare between Cambodia and Eritrea?
Cambodia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Eritrea. Workers in Cambodia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Eritrea 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.