Key Facts: Gambia vs Iraq Wages
- Gambia Minimum Wage
- D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
- Iraq Minimum Wage
- ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD)
- Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
- Iraq Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ع.د700,000 /mo ($536.40 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25), Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-25)
Gambia
Iraq
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in the Gambia is roughly 13 times higher than in Iraq 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 $536/mo in Iraq, a 5.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iraq is 4.2x that of Gambia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Gambia has lower GDP per capita ($3,476 vs $14,464). The Gambia's unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Iraq's 15.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gambia | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ع.د1,823 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /day | D50 $0.67 | ع.د14,583 $11.17 |
| Minimum wage /mo | D1,300 $17.53 | ع.د350,000 $268.20 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ع.د4,200,000 $3,218.39 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | D8,000 /mo $107.90 | ع.د700,000 /mo $536.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ع.د3,360,000 /yr $2,574.71 |
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.
- Iraq
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 per day / 48 per week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Work on official holidays is paid at 200%. Ramadan working hours are reduced. Public sector employees typically work ~40 hours/week in practice.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Iraq to the Gambia would see a 1155% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Gambia mandates 40 hours while Iraq mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Gambia are $701 vs $67 in Iraq.
See this comparison from Iraq's perspective: Iraq vs Gambia
Compare Gambia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gambia or Iraq?
In the Gambia, the minimum wage is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). In Iraq, it is ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD). Gambia has the higher rate by 1155% 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 Iraq 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 Iraq?
The average gross salary in the Gambia is D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD), compared to ع.د700,000/mo ($536.40 USD) in Iraq. In USD terms, workers in the Gambia earn approximately 397% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gambia and Iraq is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iraq 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 Iraq?
Iraq has a longer standard work week at 48 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 Iraq?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iraq has the higher GDP per capita at $14,464, which is 4.2x 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.