Key Facts: Djibouti vs Namibia Wages
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Namibia Minimum Wage
- N$18/hr ($1.13 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Namibia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- N$13,500 /mo ($845.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation / Wage Order 2024 (2026-02-25)
Djibouti
Namibia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Djibouti is roughly 175 times higher than in Namibia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Djibouti at $675/mo compared to $845/mo in Namibia. Namibia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 19.3% compared to 26.0%.
Djibouti has lower GDP per capita ($7,810 vs $11,687). Djibouti's unemployment rate is 26.0% compared to Namibia's 19.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Djibouti | Namibia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | N$18 $1.13 |
| Minimum wage /day | Fdj1,400 $7.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Fdj35,000 $196.94 | N$3,510 $219.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | N$42,120 $2,637.45 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 | N$13,500 /mo $845.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | N$11,000 /mo $688.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | N$48,000 /yr $3,005.64 |
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.
- 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 Djibouti would see a 17373% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Djibouti mandates 40 hours while Namibia mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Djibouti are $7,878 vs $51 in Namibia.
See this comparison from Namibia's perspective: Namibia vs Djibouti
Compare Djibouti with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Djibouti or Namibia?
In Djibouti, the minimum wage is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). In Namibia, it is N$18/hr ($1.13 USD). Djibouti has the higher rate by 17373% 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 less does the average worker earn in Djibouti compared to Namibia?
The average gross salary in Djibouti is Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD), compared to N$13,500/mo ($845.34 USD) in Namibia. In USD terms, workers in Djibouti earn approximately 25% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Djibouti and Namibia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Namibia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Djibouti.
How do work hours compare between Djibouti and Namibia?
Namibia has a longer standard work week at 45 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 Namibia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Namibia has the higher GDP per capita at $11,687, which is 1.5x 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.