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Key Facts: Colombia vs Eritrea Wages

Colombia Minimum Wage
COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
Eritrea Minimum Wage
Nfk600/mo ($40 USD)
Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
Eritrea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Nfk6,000 /mo ($400 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), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHCHR Eritrea reports (2026-02-25)

Colombia flag Colombia Eritrea flag Eritrea

Updated 2026-05-27

Colombia flag Colombia

Minimum Wage

COP7,295.44 /hr

$1.77 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

COP2,200,000 /mo

Eritrea flag Eritrea

Minimum Wage

Nfk600 /mo

$40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Nfk6,000 /mo

Min wage: -96% Colombia vs Eritrea Avg. salary: +33% Colombia vs Eritrea

The minimum wage in Colombia is roughly 23 times lower than in Eritrea in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Colombia at $533/mo compared to $400/mo in Eritrea. Eritrea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 6.0% compared to 8.3%.

Colombia's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Eritrea's 6.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Colombia and Eritrea
Metric Colombia Eritrea
Minimum wage /hr COP7,295.44 $1.77
Minimum wage /mo COP1,750,905 $423.95 Nfk600 $40
Minimum wage /yr COP22,761,765 $5,511.32
Avg. gross salary /mo COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 Nfk6,000 /mo $400
Avg. net salary /mo COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 Nfk5,400 /mo $360
Median individual income /yr COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 N/A/yr

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).

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 Colombia earns 2164% less per hour in USD terms than one in Eritrea.

See this comparison from Eritrea's perspective: Eritrea vs Colombia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Colombia or Eritrea?

In Colombia, the minimum wage is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). In Eritrea, it is Nfk600/mo ($40 USD). Eritrea has the higher rate by 2164% 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 Colombia 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 Eritrea?

The average gross salary in Colombia is COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD), compared to Nfk6,000/mo ($400 USD) in Eritrea. In USD terms, workers in Colombia earn approximately 33% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Colombia and Eritrea 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 Eritrea.

How do work hours compare between Colombia and Eritrea?

Both Colombia and Eritrea 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.