Key Facts: Iceland vs Algeria Wages
- Iceland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Algeria Minimum Wage
- DZD138.46/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
- Algeria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- DZD55,000 /mo ($405.90 USD)
- Data Sources
- Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24), Council of Ministers / Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Sécurité Sociale — Algeria (2026-02-25)
Iceland
Algeria
Updated 2026-02-25
Iceland has no statutory minimum wage, while Algeria sets a floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $6,479/mo in Iceland versus $406/mo in Algeria, a 16.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iceland is 4.8x that of Algeria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Iceland has higher GDP per capita ($84,257 vs $17,621). Iceland's unemployment rate is 3.6% compared to Algeria's 11.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Iceland | Algeria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | DZD138.46 $1.02 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | DZD24,000 $177.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | DZD288,000 $2,125.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 | DZD55,000 /mo $405.90 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 | DZD43,000 /mo $317.34 |
| Median individual income /yr | kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 | DZD300,000 /yr $2,214.02 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Iceland is higher.
Work Week
- Iceland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.8x pay
Standard working week is 40 hours (set by collective agreements). The Act on Working Environment and Health sets maximum average of 48 hours/week per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime premiums are set by collective agreements, typically 80% premium (1.8x) for daytime overtime, higher for evenings/weekends. A landmark 2021 agreement reduced standard hours from 40 to 36 for many public sector workers, with the private sector gradually following.
- Algeria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (Law 90-11) sets standard working hours at 40 per week for most sectors and 44 hours for certain sectors. Weekly rest is Friday and Saturday. Overtime paid at 150% of normal rate for first 4 hours and 200% for subsequent hours.
See this comparison from Algeria's perspective: Algeria vs Iceland
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Iceland or Algeria?
In Iceland, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Algeria, it is DZD138.46/hr ($1.02 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Iceland compared to Algeria?
The average gross salary in Iceland is kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD), compared to DZD55,000/mo ($405.90 USD) in Algeria. In USD terms, workers in Iceland earn approximately 1496% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iceland and Algeria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iceland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Algeria.
How do work hours compare between Iceland and Algeria?
Both Iceland and Algeria mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Iceland and Algeria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iceland has the higher GDP per capita at $84,257, which is 4.8x that of Algeria at $17,621. From Iceland'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.