Key Facts: Honduras vs Lesotho Wages
- Honduras Minimum Wage
- L50.80/hr ($1.92 USD)
- Lesotho Minimum Wage
- L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD)
- Honduras Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L18,265 /mo ($688.73 USD)
- Lesotho Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L4,500 /mo ($281.07 USD)
- Data Sources
- Secretaría de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (STSS) — Honduras (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Employment (Lesotho) / Wages Order (2026-02-25)
Honduras
Lesotho
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Honduras is roughly 65 times lower than in Lesotho in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $689/mo in Honduras versus $281/mo in Lesotho, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Honduras is 2.5x that of Lesotho, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Honduras has higher GDP per capita ($7,486 vs $3,001). Honduras' unemployment rate is 4.9% compared to Lesotho's 16.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Honduras | Lesotho |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L50.80 $1.92 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | L12,191.70 $459.72 | L2,000 $124.92 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L158,492.10 $5,976.32 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L18,265 /mo $688.73 | L4,500 /mo $281.07 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L15,500 /mo $584.46 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | L108,000 /yr $4,072.40 | L18,000 /yr $1,124.30 |
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.
- Lesotho
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.33x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 45 hours/week (9 hrs/day, 5 days or 7.5 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours/week including overtime (9 hours overtime limit). Overtime paid at 1.33x normal rate. Sunday rest day and 12 public holidays per year.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Honduras earns 6422% less per hour in USD terms than one in Lesotho. Standard work weeks differ: Honduras mandates 44 hours while Lesotho mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Honduras are $84 vs $5,621 in Lesotho.
See this comparison from Lesotho's perspective: Lesotho vs Honduras
Compare Honduras with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Honduras or Lesotho?
In Honduras, the minimum wage is L50.80/hr ($1.92 USD). In Lesotho, it is L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD). Lesotho has the higher rate by 6422% 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 Honduras 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 Lesotho?
The average gross salary in Honduras is L18,265/mo ($688.73 USD), compared to L4,500/mo ($281.07 USD) in Lesotho. In USD terms, workers in Honduras earn approximately 145% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Honduras and Lesotho 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 Lesotho.
How do work hours compare between Honduras and Lesotho?
Lesotho has a longer standard work week at 45 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 Lesotho?
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 2.5x that of Lesotho at $3,001. 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.