Key Facts: Iceland vs Sierra Leone Wages
- Iceland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)
Iceland
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
Iceland has no statutory minimum wage, while Sierra Leone sets a floor of $26/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $6,479/mo in Iceland versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 59.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iceland is 23.9x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Iceland has higher GDP per capita ($84,257 vs $3,522). Iceland's unemployment rate is 3.6% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Iceland | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | None | Le600 $25.97 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
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.
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Iceland
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Iceland or Sierra Leone?
In Iceland, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Iceland compared to Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in Iceland is kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Iceland earn approximately 5886% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iceland and Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Iceland and Sierra Leone?
Both Iceland and Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone?
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 23.9x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. 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.