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Key Facts: Gambia vs Qatar Wages

Gambia Minimum Wage
D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
Qatar Minimum Wage
QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24)

Gambia flag Gambia Qatar flag Qatar

Updated 2026-02-25

Gambia flag Gambia

Minimum Wage

D1,300 /mo

$17.53 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

D8,000 /mo

Qatar flag Qatar

Minimum Wage

QAR5.21 /hr

$1.43 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

QAR11,724 /mo

Min wage: +1125% Gambia vs Qatar Avg. salary: -97% Gambia vs Qatar

The minimum wage in the Gambia is roughly 12 times higher than in Qatar in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in the Gambia versus $3,221/mo in Qatar, a 29.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 36.3x that of Gambia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

The Gambia has lower GDP per capita ($3,476 vs $126,046). The Gambia's unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Qatar's 0.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Gambia and Qatar
Metric Gambia Qatar
Minimum wage /hr QAR5.21 $1.43
Minimum wage /day D50 $0.67
Minimum wage /mo D1,300 $17.53 QAR1,000 $274.73
Minimum wage /yr QAR12,000 $3,296.70
Avg. gross salary /mo D8,000 /mo $107.90 QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88

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.

Qatar

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium: 25% of basic wage. Work between 9pm and 6am attracts a 50% premium. Government sector typically works 35-40 hours/week.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Qatar to the Gambia would see a 1125% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Gambia mandates 40 hours while Qatar mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Gambia are $701 vs $69 in Qatar.

See this comparison from Qatar's perspective: Qatar vs Gambia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Gambia or Qatar?

In the Gambia, the minimum wage is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). In Qatar, it is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). Gambia has the higher rate by 1125% 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 Qatar 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 Qatar?

The average gross salary in the Gambia is D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD), compared to QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD) in Qatar. In USD terms, workers in the Gambia earn approximately 2885% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gambia and Qatar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Qatar 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 Qatar?

Qatar 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 Qatar?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Qatar has the higher GDP per capita at $126,046, which is 36.3x 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.