Key Facts: Kenya vs Georgia Wages
- Kenya Minimum Wage
- KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD)
- Georgia Minimum Wage
- ₾0.12/hr ($0.04 USD)
- Kenya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KSh50,000 /mo ($325.73 USD)
- Georgia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₾2,270 /mo ($850.19 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), National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) (2026-02-25)
Kenya
Georgia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Kenya is roughly 13 times higher than in Georgia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $326/mo in Kenya versus $850/mo in Georgia, a 2.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Georgia is 4.3x that of Kenya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Kenya's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Kenya's minimum wage buys more than Georgia's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Kenya is $2 international dollars, compared to $0 in Georgia. Kenya has lower GDP per capita ($6,644 vs $28,285). Kenya's unemployment rate is 5.5% compared to Georgia's 12.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kenya | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | KSh93 $0.61 | ₾0.12 $0.04 |
| Minimum wage /mo | KSh16,113.75 $104.98 | ₾20 $7.49 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₾240 $89.89 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | KSh50,000 /mo $325.73 | ₾2,270 /mo $850.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | KSh38,500 /mo $250.81 | ₾1,816 /mo $680.15 |
| Median individual income /yr | KSh180,000 /yr $1,172.64 | ₾12,000 /yr $4,494.38 |
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.
- Georgia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (2024 reform reduced from 48). Some sectors permit 48 hours with government approval. Overtime premium at least 25%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 20%. The 2024 labour code amendments strengthened overtime protections.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Georgia to Kenya would see a 1248% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Kenya mandates 52 hours while Georgia mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Kenya are $32 vs $2 in Georgia.
See this comparison from Georgia's perspective: Georgia vs Kenya
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kenya or Georgia?
In Kenya, the minimum wage is KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD). In Georgia, it is ₾0.12/hr ($0.04 USD). Kenya has the higher rate by 1248% 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 Georgia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Kenya compared to Georgia?
The average gross salary in Kenya is KSh50,000/mo ($325.73 USD), compared to ₾2,270/mo ($850.19 USD) in Georgia. In USD terms, workers in Kenya earn approximately 161% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kenya and Georgia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Georgia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Kenya.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Kenya or Georgia?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Kenya can afford more than those in Georgia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $2 in Kenya and $0 in Georgia. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 1494% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Georgia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Kenya and Georgia?
Kenya has a longer standard work week at 52 hours, compared to 40 hours in Georgia. Workers in Kenya work 52 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Georgia 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 Georgia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Georgia has the higher GDP per capita at $28,285, which is 4.3x that of Kenya at $6,644. From Kenya's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.