Key Facts: Colombia vs Guinea Wages
- Colombia Minimum Wage
- COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 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 / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25)
Colombia
Guinea
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Colombia is roughly 29 times lower than in Guinea in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $533/mo in Colombia versus $174/mo in Guinea, a 3.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Colombia is 4.9x that of Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Colombia has higher GDP per capita ($22,349 vs $4,565). Colombia's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Guinea's 5.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Colombia | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | COP7,295.44 $1.77 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | COP1,750,905 $423.95 | FG440,000 $51.04 |
| Minimum wage /yr | COP22,761,765 $5,511.32 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 |
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).
- Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week for formal-sector employees. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for weekday hours, 2x for work on rest days. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Colombia earns 2790% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guinea. Standard work weeks differ: Colombia mandates 44 hours while Guinea mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Colombia are $78 vs $2,042 in Guinea.
See this comparison from Guinea's perspective: Guinea vs Colombia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Colombia or Guinea?
In Colombia, the minimum wage is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). In Guinea, it is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). Guinea has the higher rate by 2790% 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 Guinea?
The average gross salary in Colombia is COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD), compared to FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD) in Guinea. In USD terms, workers in Colombia earn approximately 206% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Colombia and Guinea 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 Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Colombia and Guinea?
Colombia has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guinea. Workers in Colombia work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Guinea 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 Colombia and Guinea?
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 4.9x that of Guinea at $4,565. 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.