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Key Facts: Guatemala vs Libya Wages

Guatemala Minimum Wage
Q15.34/hr ($2 USD)
Libya Minimum Wage
LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
Guatemala Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Q5,800 /mo ($756.19 USD)
Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
Data Sources
Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social — Guatemala (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)

Guatemala flag Guatemala Libya flag Libya

Updated 2026-02-25

Guatemala flag Guatemala

Minimum Wage

Q15.34 /hr

$2 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Q5,800 /mo

Libya flag Libya

Minimum Wage

LD450 /mo

$92.59 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

LD1,800 /mo

Min wage: -98% Guatemala vs Libya Avg. salary: +104% Guatemala vs Libya

The minimum wage in Guatemala is roughly 46 times lower than in Libya in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $756/mo in Guatemala versus $370/mo in Libya, a 2.0:1 ratio. Guatemala has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.6% compared to 18.8%.

Guatemala has higher GDP per capita ($14,369 vs $14,304). Guatemala's unemployment rate is 2.6% compared to Libya's 18.8%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Guatemala and Libya
Metric Guatemala Libya
Minimum wage /hr Q15.34 $2
Minimum wage /mo Q3,681 $479.92 LD450 $92.59
Minimum wage /yr Q44,172 $5,759.06
Avg. gross salary /mo Q5,800 /mo $756.19 LD1,800 /mo $370.37
Avg. net salary /mo Q5,200 /mo $677.97 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr Q28,000 /yr $3,650.59 LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Guatemala is higher.

Work Week

Guatemala

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Code sets maximum ordinary work at 8 hours/day (daytime), 6 hours/day (nighttime), for a maximum of 48 hours/week (daytime) or 36 hours/week (nighttime). Overtime paid at 150% of regular rate.

Libya

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Guatemala earns 4530% less per hour in USD terms than one in Libya.

See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Guatemala

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Guatemala or Libya?

In Guatemala, the minimum wage is Q15.34/hr ($2 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 4530% 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 Guatemala may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Guatemala compared to Libya?

The average gross salary in Guatemala is Q5,800/mo ($756.19 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Guatemala earn approximately 104% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guatemala and Libya is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Guatemala earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Libya.

How do work hours compare between Guatemala and Libya?

Both Guatemala and Libya mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Guatemala and Libya?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Guatemala has the higher GDP per capita at $14,369, which is 1.0x that of Libya at $14,304. From Guatemala's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.