Iraq Central African Republic

Updated 2026-02-25

Iraq

Minimum Wage

ع.د1,823 /hr

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ع.د700,000 /mo

Central African Republic

Minimum Wage

FCFA35,000 /mo

$62.84 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FCFA75,000 /mo

Min wage: -98% Iraq vs Central African Republic Avg. salary: +298% Iraq vs Central African Republic

The minimum wage in Iraq is roughly 45 times lower than in the Central African Republic in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $536/mo in Iraq versus $135/mo in the Central African Republic, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iraq is 11.5x that of Central African Republic, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Iraq has higher GDP per capita ($14,464 vs $1,263). Iraq's unemployment rate is 15.5% compared to the Central African Republic's 6.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Iraq and Central African Republic
Metric	Iraq	Central African Republic	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	ع.د1,823 $1.40	—	—
Minimum wage /day	ع.د14,583 $11.17	FCFA1,400 $2.51	+344.6%
Minimum wage /mo	ع.د350,000 $268.20	FCFA35,000 $62.84	+326.8%
Minimum wage /yr	ع.د4,200,000 $3,218.39	—	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	ع.د700,000 /mo $536.40	FCFA75,000 /mo $134.65	+298.4%
Median individual income /yr	ع.د3,360,000 /yr $2,574.71	N/A/yr	—

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

Work Week

Iraq: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 per day / 48 per week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Work on official holidays is paid at 200%. Ramadan working hours are reduced. Public sector employees typically work ~40 hours/week in practice.
Central African Republic: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

The Labour Code sets a standard 40-hour workweek, with maximum 48 hours including overtime. These provisions apply to formal employment only, which represents a small fraction of total employment. Enforcement capacity is severely constrained by institutional fragility.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Iraq earns 4398% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Central African Republic. Standard work weeks differ: Iraq mandates 48 hours while the Central African Republic mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Iraq are $67 vs $2,513 in the Central African Republic.

See this comparison from Central African Republic's perspective: Central African Republic vs Iraq

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Iraq or Central African Republic?

In Iraq, the minimum wage is ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD). In the Central African Republic, it is FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD). Central African Republic has the higher rate by 4398% 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 Iraq may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Iraq compared to Central African Republic?

The average gross salary in Iraq is ع.د700,000/mo ($536.40 USD), compared to FCFA75,000/mo ($134.65 USD) in the Central African Republic. In USD terms, workers in Iraq earn approximately 298% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iraq and Central African Republic is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iraq earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Central African Republic.

How do work hours compare between Iraq and Central African Republic?

Iraq has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Central African Republic. Workers in Iraq work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Central African Republic 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 Iraq and Central African Republic?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iraq has the higher GDP per capita at $14,464, which is 11.5x that of Central African Republic at $1,263. From Iraq'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.