Key Facts: Gabon vs Norway Wages
- Gabon Minimum Wage
- FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Gabon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA555,000 /mo ($996.41 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment and Vocational Training / Labour Code of Gabon (2026-02-25), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Gabon
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Gabon mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $996/mo in Gabon versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 6.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 4.7x that of Gabon, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Gabon has lower GDP per capita ($21,510 vs $102,038). Gabon's unemployment rate is 20.1% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gabon | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | FCFA430,000 /mo $771.99 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA2,400,000 /yr $4,308.80 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
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).
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Gabon mandates 40 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Gabon
Compare Gabon with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gabon or Norway?
In Gabon, the minimum wage is FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Gabon compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Gabon is FCFA555,000/mo ($996.41 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Gabon earn approximately 497% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gabon and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway 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 Norway?
Gabon has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Gabon work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Gabon and Norway?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 4.7x 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.