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Key Facts: Iraq vs Niger Wages

Iraq Minimum Wage
ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD)
Niger Minimum Wage
CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
Iraq Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
ع.د700,000 /mo ($536.40 USD)
Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
Data Sources
Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25)

Iraq flag Iraq Niger flag Niger

Updated 2026-02-25

Iraq flag Iraq

Minimum Wage

ع.د1,823 /hr

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ع.د700,000 /mo

Niger flag Niger

Minimum Wage

CFA30,047 /mo

$53.94 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA120,000 /mo

Min wage: -97% Iraq vs Niger Avg. salary: +149% Iraq vs Niger

The minimum wage in Iraq is roughly 39 times lower than in Niger 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 $215/mo in Niger, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iraq is 7.1x that of Niger, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Iraq has higher GDP per capita ($14,464 vs $2,050). Iraq's unemployment rate is 15.5% compared to Niger's 0.4%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Iraq and Niger
Metric Iraq Niger
Minimum wage /hr ع.د1,823 $1.40
Minimum wage /day ع.د14,583 $11.17
Minimum wage /mo ع.د350,000 $268.20 CFA30,047 $53.94
Minimum wage /yr ع.د4,200,000 $3,218.39
Avg. gross salary /mo ع.د700,000 /mo $536.40 CFA120,000 /mo $215.44
Median individual income /yr ع.د3,360,000 /yr $2,574.71 CFA150,000 /yr $269.30

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.

Niger

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply only to the small formal sector.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Iraq earns 3762% less per hour in USD terms than one in Niger. Standard work weeks differ: Iraq mandates 48 hours while Niger mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Iraq are $67 vs $2,158 in Niger.

See this comparison from Niger's perspective: Niger vs Iraq

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Iraq or Niger?

In Iraq, the minimum wage is ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD). In Niger, it is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). Niger has the higher rate by 3762% 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 Niger?

The average gross salary in Iraq is ع.د700,000/mo ($536.40 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Niger. In USD terms, workers in Iraq earn approximately 149% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iraq and Niger 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 Niger.

How do work hours compare between Iraq and Niger?

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

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 7.1x that of Niger at $2,050. 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.