Key Facts: Cyprus vs Namibia Wages
- Cyprus Minimum Wage
- €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD)
- Namibia Minimum Wage
- N$18/hr ($1.13 USD)
- Cyprus Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,200 /mo ($2,562.01 USD)
- Namibia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- N$13,500 /mo ($845.34 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), Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation / Wage Order 2024 (2026-02-25)
Cyprus
Namibia
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Cyprus is roughly 6 times higher than in Namibia 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 $845/mo in Namibia, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Cyprus is 5.4x that of Namibia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Cyprus' perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Cyprus' minimum wage buys more than Namibia's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Cyprus is $11 international dollars, compared to $3 in Namibia. Cyprus has higher GDP per capita ($63,007 vs $11,687). Cyprus' unemployment rate is 4.9% compared to Namibia's 19.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cyprus | Namibia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €6.28 $7.31 | N$18 $1.13 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €1,088 $1,267.03 | N$3,510 $219.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €13,056 $15,204.38 | N$42,120 $2,637.45 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,200 /mo $2,562.01 | N$13,500 /mo $845.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 | N$11,000 /mo $688.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | €17,000 /yr $19,797.37 | N$48,000 /yr $3,005.64 |
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%.
- Namibia
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act sets maximum ordinary hours at 45 per week (9 hrs/day for 5-day week, 8 hrs/day for 6-day week). Overtime limited to 10 hours/week and 3 hours/day. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Rest days at 2x. Daily rest period of at least 12 consecutive hours. Weekly rest of at least 36 consecutive hours (ideally including Sunday). Annual leave: 20 working days for 5-day week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Namibia to Cyprus would see a 549% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Cyprus mandates 40 hours while Namibia mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Cyprus are $293 vs $51 in Namibia.
See this comparison from Namibia's perspective: Namibia vs Cyprus
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cyprus or Namibia?
In Cyprus, the minimum wage is €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD). In Namibia, it is N$18/hr ($1.13 USD). Cyprus has the higher rate by 549% 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 Namibia 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 Namibia?
The average gross salary in Cyprus is €2,200/mo ($2,562.01 USD), compared to N$13,500/mo ($845.34 USD) in Namibia. In USD terms, workers in Cyprus earn approximately 203% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cyprus and Namibia 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 Namibia.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Cyprus or Namibia?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Cyprus can afford more than those in Namibia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $11 in Cyprus and $3 in Namibia. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 324% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Namibia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Cyprus and Namibia?
Namibia has a longer standard work week at 45 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 Namibia?
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 5.4x that of Namibia at $11,687. 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.