Key Facts: Italy vs Somalia Wages
- Italy Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Italy Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,600 /mo ($3,027.83 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policies (Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali) (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25)
Italy
Somalia
Updated 2026-02-25
Neither Italy nor Somalia has a statutory minimum wage, relying instead on collective bargaining or sectoral agreements. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,028/mo in Italy versus $263/mo in Somalia, a 11.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Italy is 38.7x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Italy has higher GDP per capita ($62,014 vs $1,602). Italy's unemployment rate is 6.4% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Italy | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,600 /mo $3,027.83 | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 |
| Median individual income /yr | €22,500 /yr $26,202.40 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Italy is higher.
Work Week
- Italy
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Legislative Decree 66/2003). Maximum average weekly hours including overtime is 48 hours over a 4-month reference period, per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime compensation is regulated by collective agreements, typically 15-30% surcharge depending on hours and sector.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Italy mandates 40 hours while Somalia mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs Italy
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much more does the average worker earn in Italy compared to Somalia?
The average gross salary in Italy is €2,600/mo ($3,027.83 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Italy earn approximately 1053% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Italy and Somalia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Italy earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Somalia.
How do work hours compare between Italy and Somalia?
Somalia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Italy. Workers in Italy work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Italy 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 Italy and Somalia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Italy has the higher GDP per capita at $62,014, which is 38.7x that of Somalia at $1,602. From Italy'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.