Key Facts: Gabon vs Sierra Leone Wages
- Gabon Minimum Wage
- FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD)
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Gabon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA555,000 /mo ($996.41 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment and Vocational Training / Labour Code of Gabon (2026-02-25), 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)
Gabon
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Gabon is roughly 17 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $996/mo in Gabon versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 9.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Gabon is 6.1x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Gabon has higher GDP per capita ($21,510 vs $3,522). Gabon's unemployment rate is 20.1% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gabon | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FCFA865.38 $1.55 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA150,000 $269.30 | Le600 $25.97 |
| Minimum wage /yr | FCFA1,800,000 $3,231.60 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA555,000 /mo $996.41 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | FCFA430,000 /mo $771.99 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA2,400,000 /yr $4,308.80 | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
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).
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Gabon earns 1572% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Gabon
Compare Gabon with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gabon or Sierra Leone?
In Gabon, the minimum wage is FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 1572% 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 Gabon may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Gabon compared to Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in Gabon is FCFA555,000/mo ($996.41 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Gabon earn approximately 821% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gabon and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Gabon earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Gabon and Sierra Leone?
Both Gabon 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 Gabon and Sierra Leone?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Gabon has the higher GDP per capita at $21,510, which is 6.1x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Gabon'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.