Key Facts: Djibouti vs Cameroon Wages
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Cameroon Minimum Wage
- FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Cameroon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA200,000 /mo ($359.07 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25), Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale — Cameroon (2026-02-25)
Djibouti
Cameroon
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Djibouti is roughly 432 times higher than in Cameroon in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Djibouti at $675/mo compared to $359/mo in Cameroon. Cameroon has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.6% compared to 26.0%.
Djibouti has higher GDP per capita ($7,810 vs $5,589). Djibouti's unemployment rate is 26.0% compared to Cameroon's 3.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Djibouti | Cameroon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | FCFA254 $0.46 |
| Minimum wage /day | Fdj1,400 $7.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Fdj35,000 $196.94 | FCFA43,969 $78.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | FCFA527,628 $947.27 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 | FCFA200,000 /mo $359.07 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | FCFA170,000 /mo $305.21 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | FCFA600,000 /yr $1,077.20 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Djibouti is higher.
Work Week
- Djibouti
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Arabic and French are official languages. The labour force is supplemented by a large number of migrant workers from Ethiopia and Somalia.
- Cameroon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week for non-agricultural workers and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 120% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 140% for subsequent hours. Night work and holiday work have higher multipliers.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cameroon to Djibouti would see a 43087% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Cameroon's perspective: Cameroon vs Djibouti
Compare Djibouti with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Djibouti or Cameroon?
In Djibouti, the minimum wage is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). In Cameroon, it is FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD). Djibouti has the higher rate by 43087% 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 Cameroon may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Djibouti compared to Cameroon?
The average gross salary in Djibouti is Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD), compared to FCFA200,000/mo ($359.07 USD) in Cameroon. In USD terms, workers in Djibouti earn approximately 88% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Djibouti and Cameroon is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Djibouti earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cameroon.
How do work hours compare between Djibouti and Cameroon?
Both Djibouti and Cameroon mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Djibouti and Cameroon?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Djibouti has the higher GDP per capita at $7,810, which is 1.4x that of Cameroon at $5,589. From Djibouti'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.