Iraq Rwanda

Updated 2026-02-25

Iraq

Minimum Wage

ع.د1,823 /hr

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ع.د700,000 /mo

Rwanda

Minimum Wage

FRw14.08 /hr

$0.01 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FRw73,948 /mo

Min wage: +14395% Iraq vs Rwanda Avg. salary: +960% Iraq vs Rwanda

The minimum wage in Iraq is roughly 145 times higher than in Rwanda 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 $51/mo in Rwanda, a 10.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iraq is 3.9x that of Rwanda, underscoring the structural economic divide.

From Iraq's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Iraq's minimum wage buys more than Rwanda's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Iraq is $3 international dollars, compared to $0 in Rwanda. Iraq has higher GDP per capita ($14,464 vs $3,711). Iraq's unemployment rate is 15.5% compared to Rwanda's 11.4%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Iraq and Rwanda
Metric	Iraq	Rwanda	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	ع.د1,823 $1.40	FRw14.08 $0.01	+14395.2%
Minimum wage /day	ع.د14,583 $11.17	—	—
Minimum wage /mo	ع.د350,000 $268.20	FRw2,440 $1.67	+15959.0%
Minimum wage /yr	ع.د4,200,000 $3,218.39	—	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	ع.د700,000 /mo $536.40	FRw73,948 /mo $50.61	+959.8%
Avg. net salary /mo	N/A/mo	FRw62,000 /mo $42.44	—
Median individual income /yr	ع.د3,360,000 /yr $2,574.71	FRw240,000 /yr $164.27	+1467.4%

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.
Rwanda: 45 hrs/wk standard

Max 55 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 45 hours per Law No. 66/2018 Regulating Labor in Rwanda. Overtime limited to 2 hours/day and 10 hours/week (max 55 hours total). Overtime permitted for urgent, exceptional, or seasonal work. Overtime compensation varies by sector agreement. Daily working hours typically 9 hours over 5 days.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Rwanda to Iraq would see a 14395% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Iraq mandates 48 hours while Rwanda mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Iraq are $67 vs $0 in Rwanda.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Iraq or Rwanda?

In Iraq, the minimum wage is ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD). In Rwanda, it is FRw14.08/hr ($0.01 USD). Iraq has the higher rate by 14395% 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 Rwanda 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 Rwanda?

The average gross salary in Iraq is ع.د700,000/mo ($536.40 USD), compared to FRw73,948/mo ($50.61 USD) in Rwanda. In USD terms, workers in Iraq earn approximately 960% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iraq and Rwanda 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 Rwanda.

Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Iraq or Rwanda?

After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Iraq can afford more than those in Rwanda. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3 in Iraq and $0 in Rwanda. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 8322% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Rwanda appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.

How do work hours compare between Iraq and Rwanda?

Iraq has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Rwanda. Workers in Iraq work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Rwanda 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 Rwanda?

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 3.9x that of Rwanda at $3,711. 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.