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Key Facts: Hong Kong vs Liberia Wages

Hong Kong Minimum Wage
HK$42.10/hr ($5.37 USD)
Liberia Minimum Wage
$156/mo
Hong Kong Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
HK$20,500 /mo ($2,615.76 USD)
Liberia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$350 /mo ($350 USD)
Data Sources
Minimum Wage Commission / Census and Statistics Department, HKSAR; current rate verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-05-01) (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministry of Labour (Liberia) (2026-02-25)

Hong Kong flag Hong Kong Liberia flag Liberia

Updated 2026-05-04

Hong Kong flag Hong Kong

Minimum Wage

HK$42.10 /hr

$5.37 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

HK$20,500 /mo

Liberia flag Liberia

Minimum Wage

$156 /mo

Avg. Gross Salary

$350 /mo

Min wage: -97% Hong Kong vs Liberia Avg. salary: +647% Hong Kong vs Liberia

The minimum wage in Hong Kong is roughly 29 times lower than in Liberia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,616/mo in Hong Kong versus $350/mo in Liberia, a 7.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Hong Kong is 40.2x that of Liberia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Hong Kong has higher GDP per capita ($75,196 vs $1,871). Hong Kong's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Liberia's 2.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Hong Kong and Liberia
Metric Hong Kong Liberia
Minimum wage /hr HK$42.10 $5.37
Minimum wage /day $6
Minimum wage /mo HK$7,297 $931.08 $156
Minimum wage /yr HK$87,568 $11,173.52
Avg. gross salary /mo HK$20,500 /mo $2,615.76 $350 /mo
Avg. net salary /mo HK$19,475 /mo $2,484.98 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr HK$246,000 /yr $31,389.16 $900 /yr

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Hong Kong is higher.

Work Week

Hong Kong

hrs/wk standard

Hong Kong has NO statutory standard working hours or maximum working hours for most employees (a rare situation globally). The government has considered legislation but has not enacted a standard hours law. Working hours are determined by individual employment contracts. Average actual working hours are ~40-44 hrs/week. Overtime pay is not legally mandated except for certain specific occupations.

Liberia

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 56 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

The Decent Work Act 2015 sets a standard workweek of 8 hours/day, 6 days/week (48 hours). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply to formal-sector employers.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Hong Kong earns 2804% less per hour in USD terms than one in Liberia.

See this comparison from Liberia's perspective: Liberia vs Hong Kong

Compare Hong Kong with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Hong Kong or Liberia?

In Hong Kong, the minimum wage is HK$42.10/hr ($5.37 USD). In Liberia, it is $156/mo. Liberia has the higher rate by 2804% 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 Hong Kong may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Hong Kong compared to Liberia?

The average gross salary in Hong Kong is HK$20,500/mo ($2,615.76 USD), compared to $350/mo in Liberia. In USD terms, workers in Hong Kong earn approximately 647% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Hong Kong and Liberia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Hong Kong earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Liberia.

What is the cost of living difference between Hong Kong and Liberia?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Hong Kong has the higher GDP per capita at $75,196, which is 40.2x that of Liberia at $1,871. From Hong Kong'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.