Key Facts: Colombia vs Angola Wages
- Colombia Minimum Wage
- COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
- Angola Minimum Wage
- Kz167.60/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
- Angola Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Kz150,000 /mo ($162.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio del Trabajo y Seguridad Social; 2026 SMLMV per Decretos 1469 y 1470 de 2025 + Decreto 0159 de 2026 (auxilio de transporte) (2026-05-27), Angolan Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security (MAPTSS) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Colombia
Angola
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Colombia is roughly 10 times higher than in Angola in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $533/mo in Colombia versus $162/mo in Angola, a 3.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Colombia is 2.2x that of Angola, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Colombia's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Colombia's minimum wage buys more than Angola's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Colombia is $5 international dollars, compared to $1 in Angola. Colombia has higher GDP per capita ($22,349 vs $10,119). Colombia's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Angola's 14.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Colombia | Angola |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | COP7,295.44 $1.77 | Kz167.60 $0.18 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Kz1,342 $1.45 |
| Minimum wage /mo | COP1,750,905 $423.95 | Kz32,181 $34.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | COP22,761,765 $5,511.32 | Kz386,172 $417.48 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 | Kz150,000 /mo $162.16 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 | Kz432,000 /yr $467.03 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Colombia is higher.
Work Week
- Colombia
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Colombia is reducing the workweek from 48 to 42 hours under Ley 2101 de 2021 in annual steps. As of 2026-01-01, the maximum is 44 hours/week. The final step (44h → 42h) takes effect July 2026. Daytime overtime: 25% premium. Night overtime: 75% premium. Sunday/holiday work: 75% premium (175% if also overtime).
- Angola
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
General Labour Law (Lei Geral do Trabalho) sets standard hours at 44/week (8 hrs/day over 5.5 days). Maximum total (including overtime) is 54 hours/week. Overtime hours 1–2 are compensated at 150%; hours beyond 2 at 175%; Sunday/holiday at 200%. Night work (9pm–6am) carries a 25% premium. Workers receive a mandatory 13th-month salary bonus annually.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Angola to Colombia would see a 875% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Angola's perspective: Angola vs Colombia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Colombia or Angola?
In Colombia, the minimum wage is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). In Angola, it is Kz167.60/hr ($0.18 USD). Colombia has the higher rate by 875% 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 Angola may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Colombia compared to Angola?
The average gross salary in Colombia is COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD), compared to Kz150,000/mo ($162.16 USD) in Angola. In USD terms, workers in Colombia earn approximately 228% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Colombia and Angola is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Colombia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Angola.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Colombia or Angola?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Colombia can afford more than those in Angola. The PPP-adjusted rate is $5 in Colombia and $1 in Angola. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 702% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Angola appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Colombia and Angola?
Both Colombia and Angola mandate a similar standard work week of 44 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 Colombia and Angola?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Colombia has the higher GDP per capita at $22,349, which is 2.2x that of Angola at $10,119. From Colombia'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.