Key Facts: Kenya vs Niger Wages
- Kenya Minimum Wage
- KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD)
- Niger Minimum Wage
- CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
- Kenya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KSh50,000 /mo ($325.73 USD)
- Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 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 / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25)
Kenya
Niger
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Kenya is roughly 89 times lower than in Niger in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Kenya at $326/mo compared to $215/mo in Niger. GDP per capita (PPP) in Kenya is 3.2x that of Niger, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Kenya has higher GDP per capita ($6,644 vs $2,050). Kenya's unemployment rate is 5.5% compared to Niger's 0.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kenya | Niger |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | KSh93 $0.61 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | KSh16,113.75 $104.98 | CFA30,047 $53.94 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | KSh50,000 /mo $325.73 | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | KSh38,500 /mo $250.81 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | KSh180,000 /yr $1,172.64 | CFA150,000 /yr $269.30 |
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.
- Niger
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply only to the small formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Kenya earns 8804% less per hour in USD terms than one in Niger. Standard work weeks differ: Kenya mandates 52 hours while Niger mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Kenya are $32 vs $2,158 in Niger.
See this comparison from Niger's perspective: Niger vs Kenya
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kenya or Niger?
In Kenya, the minimum wage is KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD). In Niger, it is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). Niger has the higher rate by 8804% 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 Niger?
The average gross salary in Kenya is KSh50,000/mo ($325.73 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Niger. In USD terms, workers in Kenya earn approximately 51% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kenya and Niger 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 Niger.
How do work hours compare between Kenya and Niger?
Kenya has a longer standard work week at 52 hours, compared to 40 hours in Niger. Workers in Kenya work 52 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Niger 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 Niger?
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 3.2x that of Niger at $2,050. 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.