Key Facts: Gabon vs Finland Wages
- Gabon Minimum Wage
- FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD)
- Finland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Gabon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA555,000 /mo ($996.41 USD)
- Finland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment and Vocational Training / Labour Code of Gabon (2026-02-25), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö) (2026-02-24)
Gabon
Finland
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Finland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Gabon mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $996/mo in Gabon versus $4,542/mo in Finland, a 4.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Finland is 3.0x that of Gabon, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Gabon has lower GDP per capita ($21,510 vs $65,378). Gabon's unemployment rate is 20.1% compared to Finland's 9.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gabon | Finland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FCFA865.38 $1.55 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA150,000 $269.30 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | FCFA1,800,000 $3,231.60 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA555,000 /mo $996.41 | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | FCFA430,000 /mo $771.99 | €2,700 /mo $3,144.29 |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA2,400,000 /yr $4,308.80 | €35,000 /yr $40,759.29 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Gabon is higher.
Work Week
- Gabon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime capped at 20 hours/week, permitted only for exceptional, urgent, or seasonal work. Weekday overtime at 125% of normal rate; Sundays/public holidays at 150-200%. Employees entitled to 10 consecutive hours of daily rest and one full day of weekly rest (usually Sunday). Governed by the Labour Code (Code du Travail).
- 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.
See this comparison from Finland's perspective: Finland vs Gabon
Compare Gabon with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gabon or Finland?
In Gabon, the minimum wage is FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD). In Finland, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Gabon compared to Finland?
The average gross salary in Gabon is FCFA555,000/mo ($996.41 USD), compared to €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD) in Finland. In USD terms, workers in Gabon earn approximately 356% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gabon and Finland 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 Gabon.
How do work hours compare between Gabon and Finland?
Both Gabon and Finland 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 Gabon and Finland?
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 3.0x that of Gabon at $21,510. From Gabon'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.