Key Facts: Guinea vs Laos Wages
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- Laos Minimum Wage
- ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD)
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 USD)
- Laos Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₭4,000,000 /mo ($185.79 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare — Lao PDR (2026-02-25)
Guinea
Laos
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Guinea is roughly 105 times higher than in Laos in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Guinea at $174/mo compared to $186/mo in Laos. GDP per capita (PPP) in Laos is 2.1x that of Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Guinea has lower GDP per capita ($4,565 vs $9,776). Guinea's unemployment rate is 5.2% compared to Laos' 1.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guinea | Laos |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₭10,417 $0.48 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FG440,000 $51.04 | ₭2,500,000 $116.12 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 | ₭4,000,000 /mo $185.79 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₭3,600,000 /mo $167.21 |
| Median individual income /yr | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 | ₭18,000,000 /yr $836.04 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Guinea is higher.
Work Week
- Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week for formal-sector employees. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for weekday hours, 2x for work on rest days. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
- Laos
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Workers in dangerous conditions are limited to 6 hours/day or 36 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 45 hours/month or 3 hours/day. Overtime compensation: 1.5x regular rate on normal days, 2.5x on weekly rest days during daytime, 3x on rest days at night. Governed by the Labour Law.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Laos to Guinea would see a 10450% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Guinea mandates 40 hours while Laos mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Guinea are $2,042 vs $23 in Laos.
See this comparison from Laos's perspective: Laos vs Guinea
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guinea or Laos?
In Guinea, the minimum wage is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). In Laos, it is ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD). Guinea has the higher rate by 10450% 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 Laos may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Guinea compared to Laos?
The average gross salary in Guinea is FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD), compared to ₭4,000,000/mo ($185.79 USD) in Laos. In USD terms, workers in Guinea earn approximately 7% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guinea and Laos is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Laos earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Guinea and Laos?
Laos has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guinea. Workers in Guinea work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Guinea 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 Guinea and Laos?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Laos has the higher GDP per capita at $9,776, which is 2.1x that of Guinea at $4,565. From Guinea'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.