Key Facts: Djibouti vs Libya Wages
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Djibouti
Libya
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Djibouti is 113% higher than in Libya when converted to USD. Average salaries are higher in Djibouti at $675/mo compared to $370/mo in Libya. GDP per capita (PPP) in Libya is 1.8x that of Djibouti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Djibouti's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Djibouti's minimum wage buys more than Libya's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Djibouti is $433 international dollars, compared to $203 in Libya. Djibouti has lower GDP per capita ($7,810 vs $14,304). Djibouti's unemployment rate is 26.0% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Djibouti | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | Fdj1,400 $7.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Fdj35,000 $196.94 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
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.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Libya to Djibouti would see a 113% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Djibouti mandates 40 hours while Libya mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Djibouti are $7,878 vs $4,444 in Libya.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Djibouti
Compare Djibouti with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Djibouti or Libya?
In Djibouti, the minimum wage is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Djibouti has the higher rate by 113% 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 Libya 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 Libya?
The average gross salary in Djibouti is Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Djibouti earn approximately 82% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Djibouti and Libya 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 Libya.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Djibouti or Libya?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Djibouti can afford more than those in Libya. The PPP-adjusted rate is $433 in Djibouti and $203 in Libya. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 114% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Libya appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Djibouti and Libya?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Djibouti. Workers in Djibouti work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Djibouti 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 Djibouti and Libya?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Libya has the higher GDP per capita at $14,304, which is 1.8x that of Djibouti at $7,810. From Djibouti's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.