Key Facts: Gambia vs Turkey Wages
- Gambia Minimum Wage
- D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
- Turkey Minimum Wage
- ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD)
- Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
- Turkey Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₺25,482 /mo ($555.24 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı); 2026 figure announced by Minister Vedat Işıkhan, verified via Daily Sabah (dailysabah.com) (2026-05-04)
Gambia
Turkey
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in the Gambia is 388% higher than in Turkey when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in the Gambia versus $555/mo in Turkey, a 5.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Turkey is 13.1x that of Gambia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Gambia has lower GDP per capita ($3,476 vs $45,639). The Gambia's unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Turkey's 8.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gambia | Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₺164.94 $3.59 |
| Minimum wage /day | D50 $0.67 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | D1,300 $17.53 | ₺33,030 $719.70 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₺396,360 $8,636.42 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | D8,000 /mo $107.90 | ₺25,482 /mo $555.24 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₺20,021 /mo $436.24 |
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.
- Turkey
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours under the Labour Act (No. 4857). Can be distributed unevenly across days of the week, but no more than 11 hours/day. Overtime is limited to 270 hours/year. Overtime premium is 50%; weekend/holiday work is at 100% premium if the worker does not get a substitute rest day.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Turkey to the Gambia would see a 388% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Gambia mandates 40 hours while Turkey mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Gambia are $701 vs $162 in Turkey.
See this comparison from Turkey's perspective: Turkey vs Gambia
Compare Gambia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gambia or Turkey?
In the Gambia, the minimum wage is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). In Turkey, it is ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD). Gambia has the higher rate by 388% 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 Turkey 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 Turkey?
The average gross salary in the Gambia is D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD), compared to ₺25,482/mo ($555.24 USD) in Turkey. In USD terms, workers in the Gambia earn approximately 415% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gambia and Turkey is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkey 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 Turkey?
Turkey has a longer standard work week at 45 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 Turkey?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Turkey has the higher GDP per capita at $45,639, which is 13.1x 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.