Key Facts: Gambia vs Israel Wages
- Gambia Minimum Wage
- D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
- Israel Minimum Wage
- ₪35.40/hr ($12.57 USD)
- Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
- Israel Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪12,000 /mo ($4,262.12 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministry of Economy and Industry / National Insurance Institute; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2026-04-01) (2026-05-04)
Gambia
Israel
Updated 2026-05-04
The Gambia, a low-income economy, and Israel, classified as high-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in the Gambia versus $4,262/mo in Israel, a 39.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Israel is 16.5x that of Gambia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Gambia has lower GDP per capita ($3,476 vs $57,236). The Gambia's unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Israel's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gambia | Israel |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₪35.40 $12.57 |
| Minimum wage /day | D50 $0.67 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | D1,300 $17.53 | ₪6,443.85 $2,288.71 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₪77,326.20 $27,464.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | D8,000 /mo $107.90 | ₪12,000 /mo $4,262.12 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₪9,000 /mo $3,196.59 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₪108,000 /yr $38,359.08 |
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.
- Israel
-
42 hrs/wk standard
Max 42 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek reduced from 43 to 42 hours in April 2018. Typically 5-day work week (8.4 hrs/day) or 6-day week. First 2 overtime hours: 125% of regular rate; subsequent hours: 150%. Weekly rest day is typically Friday evening to Saturday evening (Shabbat). Maximum 12 hours in any workday.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Israel to the Gambia would see a 39% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Gambia mandates 40 hours while Israel mandates 42 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Gambia are $701 vs $528 in Israel.
See this comparison from Israel's perspective: Israel vs Gambia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gambia or Israel?
In the Gambia, the minimum wage is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). In Israel, it is ₪35.40/hr ($12.57 USD). Gambia has the higher rate by 39% 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 Israel 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 Israel?
The average gross salary in the Gambia is D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD), compared to ₪12,000/mo ($4,262.12 USD) in Israel. In USD terms, workers in the Gambia earn approximately 3850% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gambia and Israel is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Israel 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 Israel?
Israel has a longer standard work week at 42 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 Israel?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Israel has the higher GDP per capita at $57,236, which is 16.5x 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.