Key Facts: Kenya vs Central African Republic Wages
- Kenya Minimum Wage
- KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD)
- Central African Republic Minimum Wage
- FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD)
- Kenya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KSh50,000 /mo ($325.73 USD)
- Central African Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA75,000 /mo ($134.65 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Protection; Legal Notice No. 164 of 2024 (eff 2024-11-01) per labour.go.ke gazette PDF (2026-05-27), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHADA Labour Code (2026-02-25)
Kenya 
Central African Republic
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Kenya is roughly 104 times lower than in the Central African Republic in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $326/mo in Kenya versus $135/mo in the Central African Republic, a 2.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Kenya is 5.3x that of Central African Republic, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Kenya has higher GDP per capita ($6,644 vs $1,263). Kenya's unemployment rate is 5.5% compared to the Central African Republic's 6.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kenya | Central African Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | KSh93 $0.61 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FCFA1,400 $2.51 |
| Minimum wage /mo | KSh16,113.75 $104.98 | FCFA35,000 $62.84 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | KSh50,000 /mo $325.73 | FCFA75,000 /mo $134.65 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | KSh38,500 /mo $250.81 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | KSh180,000 /yr $1,172.64 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Kenya is higher.
Work Week
- Kenya
-
52 hrs/wk standard
Max 52 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act sets maximum normal working hours at 52 per week. Most formal sector employees work 40-45 hours by contract. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Work on rest days paid at 2x. Public holidays at 2x.
- 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 Kenya earns 10271% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Central African Republic. Standard work weeks differ: Kenya mandates 52 hours while the Central African Republic mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Kenya are $32 vs $2,513 in the Central African Republic.
See this comparison from Central African Republic's perspective: Central African Republic vs Kenya
Compare Kenya with...
Kenya vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Kenya vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Kenya vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Kenya vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Kenya vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Kenya vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Kenya vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Kenya vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Kenya vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Kenya vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Kenya vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Kenya vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Kenya vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Kenya vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Kenya vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Kenya vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Kenya vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Kenya vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Kenya vs Switzerland 
Kenya vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Kenya vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Kenya vs Sweden 
Kenya vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Kenya vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kenya or Central African Republic?
In Kenya, the minimum wage is KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD). In the Central African Republic, it is FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD). Central African Republic has the higher rate by 10271% 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 Kenya may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Kenya compared to Central African Republic?
The average gross salary in Kenya is KSh50,000/mo ($325.73 USD), compared to FCFA75,000/mo ($134.65 USD) in the Central African Republic. In USD terms, workers in Kenya earn approximately 142% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kenya and Central African Republic is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kenya 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 Kenya and Central African Republic?
Kenya has a longer standard work week at 52 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Central African Republic. Workers in Kenya work 52 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 Kenya 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. Kenya has the higher GDP per capita at $6,644, which is 5.3x that of Central African Republic at $1,263. From Kenya'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.