Key Facts: Gambia vs Iran Wages
- Gambia Minimum Wage
- D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
- Iran Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
- Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25), Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04)
Gambia
Iran
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in the Gambia is roughly 17 times higher than in Iran in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in the Gambia versus $588/mo in Iran, a 5.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iran is 5.7x that of Gambia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Gambia has lower GDP per capita ($3,476 vs $19,874). The Gambia's unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Iran's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gambia | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ﷼692,731 $1.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | D50 $0.67 | ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | D1,300 $17.53 | ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | D8,000 /mo $107.90 | ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 |
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.
- Iran
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Iran to the Gambia would see a 1621% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Gambia mandates 40 hours while Iran mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Gambia are $701 vs $45 in Iran.
See this comparison from Iran's perspective: Iran vs Gambia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gambia or Iran?
In the Gambia, the minimum wage is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). In Iran, it is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). Gambia has the higher rate by 1621% 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 Iran 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 Iran?
The average gross salary in the Gambia is D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD), compared to ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD) in Iran. In USD terms, workers in the Gambia earn approximately 445% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gambia and Iran is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iran 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 Iran?
Iran 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 Iran?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iran has the higher GDP per capita at $19,874, which is 5.7x 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.