Key Facts: Djibouti vs Zimbabwe Wages
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Zimbabwe Minimum Wage
- $0.87/hr
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Zimbabwe Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $253 /mo ($253 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25), Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare — Zimbabwe (2026-02-25)
Djibouti
Zimbabwe
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Djibouti is roughly 226 times higher than in Zimbabwe in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $675/mo in Djibouti versus $253/mo in Zimbabwe, a 2.7:1 ratio. Zimbabwe has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 9.3% compared to 26.0%.
Djibouti has higher GDP per capita ($7,810 vs $5,928). Djibouti's unemployment rate is 26.0% compared to Zimbabwe's 9.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Djibouti | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $0.87 |
| Minimum wage /day | Fdj1,400 $7.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Fdj35,000 $196.94 | $150 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | $1,800 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 | $253 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | $220 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | $1,200 /yr |
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.
- Zimbabwe
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act sets maximum working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week). Overtime is limited and must be compensated at 150% of normal rate. Sunday and public holiday work at 200%.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Zimbabwe to Djibouti would see a 22537% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Djibouti mandates 40 hours while Zimbabwe mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Djibouti are $7,878 vs $39 in Zimbabwe.
See this comparison from Zimbabwe's perspective: Zimbabwe vs Djibouti
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Djibouti or Zimbabwe?
In Djibouti, the minimum wage is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). In Zimbabwe, it is $0.87/hr. Djibouti has the higher rate by 22537% 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 Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe?
The average gross salary in Djibouti is Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD), compared to $253/mo in Zimbabwe. In USD terms, workers in Djibouti earn approximately 167% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Djibouti and Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe.
How do work hours compare between Djibouti and Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe?
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 1.3x that of Zimbabwe at $5,928. 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.