Key Facts: Guyana vs Iceland Wages
- Guyana Minimum Wage
- G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
- Iceland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
- Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25), Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24)
Guyana
Iceland
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Iceland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Guyana mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $478/mo in Guyana versus $6,479/mo in Iceland, a 13.6:1 ratio. Iceland has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.6% compared to 12.0%.
Guyana has lower GDP per capita ($80,155 vs $84,257). Guyana's unemployment rate is 12.0% compared to Iceland's 3.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guyana | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | G$347 $1.66 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | G$60,147 $287.44 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | G$100,000 /mo $477.90 | kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G$80,000 /mo $382.32 | kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 |
| Median individual income /yr | G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38 | kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Guyana is higher.
Work Week
- Guyana
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate on weekdays and 2x on public holidays. Governed by the Labour Act. Some sectors (sugar, mining) may have different arrangements through collective agreements.
- Iceland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.8x pay
Standard working week is 40 hours (set by collective agreements). The Act on Working Environment and Health sets maximum average of 48 hours/week per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime premiums are set by collective agreements, typically 80% premium (1.8x) for daytime overtime, higher for evenings/weekends. A landmark 2021 agreement reduced standard hours from 40 to 36 for many public sector workers, with the private sector gradually following.
See this comparison from Iceland's perspective: Iceland vs Guyana
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guyana or Iceland?
In Guyana, the minimum wage is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). In Iceland, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Guyana compared to Iceland?
The average gross salary in Guyana is G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD), compared to kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD) in Iceland. In USD terms, workers in Guyana earn approximately 1256% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guyana and Iceland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iceland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guyana.
How do work hours compare between Guyana and Iceland?
Both Guyana and Iceland 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 Guyana and Iceland?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iceland has the higher GDP per capita at $84,257, which is 1.1x that of Guyana at $80,155. From Guyana'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.