Key Facts: Guyana vs Somalia Wages
- Guyana Minimum Wage
- G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25)
Guyana
Somalia
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Somalia, which has no statutory minimum wage, Guyana mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average salaries are higher in Guyana at $478/mo compared to $263/mo in Somalia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guyana is 50.0x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Guyana has higher GDP per capita ($80,155 vs $1,602). Guyana's unemployment rate is 12.0% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guyana | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G$80,000 /mo $382.32 | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 |
| Median individual income /yr | G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Somalia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
No reliable standardised workweek provisions are enforced. Friday is the weekly rest day. Labour conditions vary widely between sectors — from formal NGO employment with international standards to highly exploitative informal arrangements. Somaliland and Puntland have some locally administered labour rules.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Guyana mandates 40 hours while Somalia mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs Guyana
Compare Guyana with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guyana or Somalia?
In Guyana, the minimum wage is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Guyana compared to Somalia?
The average gross salary in Guyana is G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Guyana earn approximately 82% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guyana and Somalia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Guyana earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Somalia.
How do work hours compare between Guyana and Somalia?
Somalia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guyana. Workers in Guyana work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Guyana 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 Somalia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Guyana has the higher GDP per capita at $80,155, which is 50.0x that of Somalia at $1,602. From Guyana'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.