Key Facts: Iran vs Uganda Wages
- Iran Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Uganda Minimum Wage
- UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
- Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
- Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
- Data Sources
- Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04), Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25)
Iran
Uganda
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Iran is 380% higher than in Uganda when converted to USD. Average salaries are higher in Iran at $588/mo compared to $424/mo in Uganda. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iran is 6.1x that of Uganda, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Iran's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Iran's minimum wage buys more than Uganda's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Iran is $6 international dollars, compared to $1 in Uganda. Iran has higher GDP per capita ($19,874 vs $3,273). Iran's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Uganda's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Iran | Uganda |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ﷼692,731 $1.02 | UGX750 $0.21 |
| Minimum wage /day | ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 | UGX130,000 $36.78 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 | UGX1,560,000 $441.30 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 | UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 |
| Median individual income /yr | ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 | UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Iran is higher.
Work Week
- Iran
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.
- Uganda
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Uganda to Iran would see a 380% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Iran mandates 44 hours while Uganda mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Iran are $45 vs $10 in Uganda.
See this comparison from Uganda's perspective: Uganda vs Iran
Compare Iran with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Iran or Uganda?
In Iran, the minimum wage is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). In Uganda, it is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD). Iran has the higher rate by 380% 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 Uganda may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Iran compared to Uganda?
The average gross salary in Iran is ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD), compared to UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD) in Uganda. In USD terms, workers in Iran earn approximately 39% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iran and Uganda is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iran earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Uganda.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Iran or Uganda?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Iran can afford more than those in Uganda. The PPP-adjusted rate is $6 in Iran and $1 in Uganda. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 872% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Uganda appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Iran and Uganda?
Uganda has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Iran. Workers in Iran work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Iran 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 Iran and Uganda?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iran has the higher GDP per capita at $19,874, which is 6.1x that of Uganda at $3,273. From Iran'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.