Key Facts: Gambia vs Belize Wages
- Gambia Minimum Wage
- D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-02-25)
Gambia
Belize
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in the Gambia is roughly 7 times higher than in Belize in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in the Gambia versus $900/mo in Belize, a 8.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Belize is 4.1x that of Gambia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Gambia has lower GDP per capita ($3,476 vs $14,347). The Gambia's unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Belize's 8.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gambia | Belize |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | BZ$5 $2.50 |
| Minimum wage /day | D50 $0.67 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | D1,300 $17.53 | BZ$975 $487.50 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | BZ$11,700 $5,850 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | D8,000 /mo $107.90 | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Gambia is higher.
Work Week
- Gambia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard working week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime is payable at 1.5x for weekdays and 2x for Sundays and public holidays.
- Belize
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Belize to the Gambia would see a 601% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Gambia mandates 40 hours while Belize mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Gambia are $701 vs $113 in Belize.
See this comparison from Belize's perspective: Belize vs Gambia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gambia or Belize?
In the Gambia, the minimum wage is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). In Belize, it is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). Gambia has the higher rate by 601% 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 Belize may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Gambia compared to Belize?
The average gross salary in the Gambia is D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD), compared to BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD) in Belize. In USD terms, workers in the Gambia earn approximately 734% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gambia and Belize is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Belize earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Gambia.
How do work hours compare between Gambia and Belize?
Belize has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Gambia. Workers in the Gambia work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Gambia 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 Gambia and Belize?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Belize has the higher GDP per capita at $14,347, which is 4.1x that of Gambia at $3,476. From the Gambia'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.