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Key Facts: Finland vs Sierra Leone Wages

Finland Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
Finland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö) (2026-02-24), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)

Finland flag Finland Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Updated 2026-05-04

Finland flag Finland

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

€3,900 /mo

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Minimum Wage

Le600 /mo

$25.97 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Le2,500 /mo

Avg. salary: +4097% Finland vs Sierra Leone

Finland has no statutory minimum wage, while Sierra Leone sets a floor of $26/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,542/mo in Finland versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 42.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Finland is 18.6x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Finland has higher GDP per capita ($65,378 vs $3,522). Finland's unemployment rate is 9.5% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Finland and Sierra Leone
Metric Finland Sierra Leone
Minimum wage /mo None Le600 $25.97
Avg. gross salary /mo €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 Le2,500 /mo $108.23
Avg. net salary /mo €2,700 /mo $3,144.29 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr €35,000 /yr $40,759.29 Le4,200 /yr $181.82

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.

Sierra Leone

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.

See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Finland

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Finland or Sierra Leone?

In Finland, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD).

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

The average gross salary in Finland is €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Finland earn approximately 4097% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Finland and Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone.

How do work hours compare between Finland and Sierra Leone?

Both Finland and Sierra Leone 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 Finland and Sierra Leone?

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 18.6x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. 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.