Key Facts: Gambia vs Brazil Wages
- Gambia Minimum Wage
- D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
- Brazil Minimum Wage
- R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD)
- Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
- Brazil Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- R$3,200 /mo ($636.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25), Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment (2026-03-02)
Gambia
Brazil
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in the Gambia is roughly 12 times higher than in Brazil 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 $637/mo in Brazil, a 5.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Brazil is 6.4x that of Gambia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Gambia has lower GDP per capita ($3,476 vs $22,338). The Gambia's unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Brazil's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gambia | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | R$7.37 $1.47 |
| Minimum wage /day | D50 $0.67 | R$54.04 $10.76 |
| Minimum wage /mo | D1,300 $17.53 | R$1,621 $322.62 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | R$21,073 $4,194.05 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | D8,000 /mo $107.90 | R$3,200 /mo $636.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | R$2,700 /mo $537.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | R$22,800 /yr $4,537.76 |
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.
- Brazil
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Constitutional limit of 44 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Overtime minimum 50% premium (often higher by collective agreement). Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Brazil to the Gambia would see a 1095% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Gambia mandates 40 hours while Brazil mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Gambia are $701 vs $65 in Brazil.
See this comparison from Brazil's perspective: Brazil vs Gambia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gambia or Brazil?
In the Gambia, the minimum wage is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). In Brazil, it is R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD). Gambia has the higher rate by 1095% 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 Brazil 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 Brazil?
The average gross salary in the Gambia is D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD), compared to R$3,200/mo ($636.88 USD) in Brazil. In USD terms, workers in the Gambia earn approximately 490% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gambia and Brazil is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brazil 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 Brazil?
Brazil has a longer standard work week at 44 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 Brazil?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Brazil has the higher GDP per capita at $22,338, which is 6.4x 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.