Key Facts: Cyprus vs Libya Wages
- Cyprus Minimum Wage
- €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Cyprus Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,200 /mo ($2,562.01 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Cyprus
Libya
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Cyprus is roughly 13 times lower than in Libya in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,562/mo in Cyprus versus $370/mo in Libya, a 6.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Cyprus is 4.4x that of Libya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Cyprus has higher GDP per capita ($63,007 vs $14,304). Cyprus' unemployment rate is 4.9% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cyprus | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €6.28 $7.31 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | €1,088 $1,267.03 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €13,056 $15,204.38 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,200 /mo $2,562.01 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €17,000 /yr $19,797.37 | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cyprus is higher.
Work Week
- Cyprus
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is typically 38-40 hours depending on sector (most common is 40 hours in 5 days). Maximum 48 hours/week averaged over 4 months. Overtime premium depends on collective agreements, typically 50%.
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Cyprus earns 1166% less per hour in USD terms than one in Libya. Standard work weeks differ: Cyprus mandates 40 hours while Libya mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Cyprus are $293 vs $4,444 in Libya.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Cyprus
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cyprus or Libya?
In Cyprus, the minimum wage is €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 1166% 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 Cyprus may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Cyprus compared to Libya?
The average gross salary in Cyprus is €2,200/mo ($2,562.01 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Cyprus earn approximately 592% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cyprus and Libya is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Cyprus earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Libya.
How do work hours compare between Cyprus and Libya?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Cyprus. Workers in Cyprus work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Cyprus 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 Cyprus and Libya?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Cyprus has the higher GDP per capita at $63,007, which is 4.4x that of Libya at $14,304. From Cyprus' 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.