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Key Facts: Finland vs Iraq Wages

Finland Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Iraq Minimum Wage
ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD)
Finland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
Iraq Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
ع.د700,000 /mo ($536.40 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö) (2026-02-24), Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-25)

Finland flag Finland Iraq flag Iraq

Updated 2026-02-25

Finland flag Finland

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

€3,900 /mo

Iraq flag Iraq

Minimum Wage

ع.د1,823 /hr

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ع.د700,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +747% Finland vs Iraq

Finland has no statutory minimum wage, while Iraq sets a floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,542/mo in Finland versus $536/mo in Iraq, a 8.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Finland is 4.5x that of Iraq, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Finland has higher GDP per capita ($65,378 vs $14,464). Finland's unemployment rate is 9.5% compared to Iraq's 15.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Finland and Iraq
Metric Finland Iraq
Minimum wage /hr None ع.د1,823 $1.40
Minimum wage /day None ع.د14,583 $11.17
Minimum wage /mo None ع.د350,000 $268.20
Minimum wage /yr None ع.د4,200,000 $3,218.39
Avg. gross salary /mo €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 ع.د700,000 /mo $536.40
Avg. net salary /mo €2,700 /mo $3,144.29 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr €35,000 /yr $40,759.29 ع.د3,360,000 /yr $2,574.71

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Finland is higher.

Work Week

Finland

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (Working Hours Act / Työaikalaki). Regular daily working hours are 8 hours. Overtime for the first 2 hours is compensated at 150% and subsequent hours at 200%. Maximum overtime is 250 hours per calendar year. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.

Iraq

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 per day / 48 per week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Work on official holidays is paid at 200%. Ramadan working hours are reduced. Public sector employees typically work ~40 hours/week in practice.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Finland mandates 40 hours while Iraq mandates 48 hours.

See this comparison from Iraq's perspective: Iraq vs Finland

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Finland or Iraq?

In Finland, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Iraq, it is ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD).

How much more does the average worker earn in Finland compared to Iraq?

The average gross salary in Finland is €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD), compared to ع.د700,000/mo ($536.40 USD) in Iraq. In USD terms, workers in Finland earn approximately 747% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Finland and Iraq is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Finland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Iraq.

How do work hours compare between Finland and Iraq?

Iraq has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Finland. Workers in Finland work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Finland 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 Finland and Iraq?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Finland has the higher GDP per capita at $65,378, which is 4.5x that of Iraq at $14,464. From Finland'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.