Iraq Somalia

Updated 2026-02-25

Iraq

Minimum Wage

ع.د1,823 /hr

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ع.د700,000 /mo

Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +104% Iraq vs Somalia

Unlike Somalia, which has no statutory minimum wage, Iraq mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $536/mo in Iraq versus $263/mo in Somalia, a 2.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iraq is 9.0x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Iraq has higher GDP per capita ($14,464 vs $1,602). Iraq's unemployment rate is 15.5% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Iraq and Somalia
Metric	Iraq	Somalia	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	ع.د1,823 $1.40	None	—
Minimum wage /day	ع.د14,583 $11.17	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	ع.د350,000 $268.20	None	—
Minimum wage /yr	ع.د4,200,000 $3,218.39	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	ع.د700,000 /mo $536.40	Sh150,000 /mo $262.70	+104.2%
Avg. net salary /mo	N/A/mo	Sh140,000 /mo $245.18	—
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.
Somalia: 48 hrs/wk standard

No reliable standardised workweek provisions are enforced. Friday is the weekly rest day. Labour conditions vary widely between sectors — from formal NGO employment with international standards to highly exploitative informal arrangements. Somaliland and Puntland have some locally administered labour rules.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Iraq or Somalia?

In Iraq, the minimum wage is ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much more does the average worker earn in Iraq compared to Somalia?

The average gross salary in Iraq is ع.د700,000/mo ($536.40 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Iraq earn approximately 104% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iraq and Somalia 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 Somalia.

How do work hours compare between Iraq and Somalia?

Both Iraq and Somalia mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Iraq and Somalia?

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 9.0x that of Somalia at $1,602. 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.