Key Facts: Honduras vs Ethiopia Wages
- Honduras Minimum Wage
- L50.80/hr ($1.92 USD)
- Ethiopia Minimum Wage
- ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD)
- Honduras Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L18,265 /mo ($688.73 USD)
- Ethiopia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ETB6,500 /mo ($50.78 USD)
- Data Sources
- Secretaría de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (STSS) — Honduras (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-24)
Honduras
Ethiopia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Honduras is roughly 33 times higher than in Ethiopia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $689/mo in Honduras versus $51/mo in Ethiopia, a 13.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Honduras is 2.3x that of Ethiopia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Honduras' perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Honduras' minimum wage buys more than Ethiopia's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Honduras is $4 international dollars, compared to $0 in Ethiopia. Honduras has higher GDP per capita ($7,486 vs $3,288). Honduras' unemployment rate is 4.9% compared to Ethiopia's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Honduras | Ethiopia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L50.80 $1.92 | ETB7.50 $0.06 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ETB43.33 $0.34 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L12,191.70 $459.72 | ETB1,300 $10.16 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L158,492.10 $5,976.32 | ETB15,600 $121.88 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L18,265 /mo $688.73 | ETB6,500 /mo $50.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L15,500 /mo $584.46 | ETB5,600 /mo $43.75 |
| Median individual income /yr | L108,000 /yr $4,072.40 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Honduras is higher.
Work Week
- Honduras
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum at 44 hours/week for daytime work (8 hours/day, 6 days). Nighttime shifts max at 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Mixed shifts at 42 hours/week (7 hours/day). Overtime paid at 1.5x the normal rate.
- Ethiopia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 125% for first 2 hours, 150% for additional hours, 200% for weekends, 250% for public holidays. Night work (10pm-6am) carries a 50% premium. These regulations apply to formal employment relationships only.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ethiopia to Honduras would see a 3169% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Honduras mandates 44 hours while Ethiopia mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Honduras are $84 vs $3 in Ethiopia.
See this comparison from Ethiopia's perspective: Ethiopia vs Honduras
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Honduras or Ethiopia?
In Honduras, the minimum wage is L50.80/hr ($1.92 USD). In Ethiopia, it is ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD). Honduras has the higher rate by 3169% 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 Ethiopia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Honduras compared to Ethiopia?
The average gross salary in Honduras is L18,265/mo ($688.73 USD), compared to ETB6,500/mo ($50.78 USD) in Ethiopia. In USD terms, workers in Honduras earn approximately 1256% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Honduras and Ethiopia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Honduras earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Ethiopia.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Honduras or Ethiopia?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Honduras can afford more than those in Ethiopia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $4 in Honduras and $0 in Ethiopia. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 1520% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Ethiopia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Honduras and Ethiopia?
Ethiopia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Honduras. Workers in Honduras work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Honduras 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 Honduras and Ethiopia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Honduras has the higher GDP per capita at $7,486, which is 2.3x that of Ethiopia at $3,288. From Honduras' 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.