Key Facts: Cameroon vs Iceland Wages
- Cameroon Minimum Wage
- FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD)
- Iceland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Cameroon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA200,000 /mo ($359.07 USD)
- Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale — Cameroon (2026-02-25), Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24)
Cameroon
Iceland
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Iceland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Cameroon mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $359/mo in Cameroon versus $6,479/mo in Iceland, a 18.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iceland is 15.1x that of Cameroon, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Cameroon has lower GDP per capita ($5,589 vs $84,257). Cameroon's unemployment rate is 3.6% compared to Iceland's 3.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cameroon | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FCFA254 $0.46 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA43,969 $78.94 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | FCFA527,628 $947.27 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA200,000 /mo $359.07 | kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | FCFA170,000 /mo $305.21 | kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA600,000 /yr $1,077.20 | kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cameroon is higher.
Work Week
- Cameroon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week for non-agricultural workers and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 120% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 140% for subsequent hours. Night work and holiday work have higher multipliers.
- Iceland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.8x pay
Standard working week is 40 hours (set by collective agreements). The Act on Working Environment and Health sets maximum average of 48 hours/week per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime premiums are set by collective agreements, typically 80% premium (1.8x) for daytime overtime, higher for evenings/weekends. A landmark 2021 agreement reduced standard hours from 40 to 36 for many public sector workers, with the private sector gradually following.
See this comparison from Iceland's perspective: Iceland vs Cameroon
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cameroon or Iceland?
In Cameroon, the minimum wage is FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD). In Iceland, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Cameroon compared to Iceland?
The average gross salary in Cameroon is FCFA200,000/mo ($359.07 USD), compared to kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD) in Iceland. In USD terms, workers in Cameroon earn approximately 1704% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cameroon and Iceland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iceland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cameroon.
How do work hours compare between Cameroon and Iceland?
Both Cameroon and Iceland 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 Cameroon and Iceland?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iceland has the higher GDP per capita at $84,257, which is 15.1x that of Cameroon at $5,589. From Cameroon's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.