Key Facts: Guyana vs Norway Wages
- Guyana Minimum Wage
- G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Guyana
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Guyana mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $478/mo in Guyana versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 12.5:1 ratio. Norway has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.6% compared to 12.0%.
Guyana has lower GDP per capita ($80,155 vs $102,038). Guyana's unemployment rate is 12.0% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guyana | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G$80,000 /mo $382.32 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
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.
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Guyana mandates 40 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Guyana
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guyana or Norway?
In Guyana, the minimum wage is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Guyana compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Guyana is G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Guyana earn approximately 1146% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guyana and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway 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 Norway?
Guyana has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Guyana work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Guyana and Norway?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 1.3x 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.