Key Facts: Gambia vs Spain Wages
- Gambia Minimum Wage
- D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
- Spain Minimum Wage
- €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD)
- Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
- Spain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,450 /mo ($2,853.15 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social (2026-03-02)
Gambia
Spain
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in the Gambia is 89% higher than in Spain when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in the Gambia versus $2,853/mo in Spain, a 26.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Spain is 16.7x that of Gambia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Gambia has lower GDP per capita ($3,476 vs $57,965). The Gambia's unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Spain's 10.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gambia | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | €7.96 $9.27 |
| Minimum wage /day | D50 $0.67 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | D1,300 $17.53 | €1,221 $1,421.92 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | €17,094 $19,906.84 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | D8,000 /mo $107.90 | €2,450 /mo $2,853.15 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €1,900 /mo $2,212.65 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €22,000 /yr $25,620.12 |
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.
- Spain
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Workers' Statute, Article 34). Maximum 80 hours of overtime per year. Overtime compensation is set by collective agreement or individual contract, with a minimum of regular hourly rate or equivalent time off. EU Working Time Directive caps average weekly hours at 48.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Spain to the Gambia would see a 89% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Spain's perspective: Spain vs Gambia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gambia or Spain?
In the Gambia, the minimum wage is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). In Spain, it is €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD). Gambia has the higher rate by 89% 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 Spain 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 Spain?
The average gross salary in the Gambia is D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD), compared to €2,450/mo ($2,853.15 USD) in Spain. In USD terms, workers in the Gambia earn approximately 2544% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gambia and Spain is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Spain 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 Spain?
Both Gambia and Spain mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Gambia and Spain?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Spain has the higher GDP per capita at $57,965, which is 16.7x 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.