Key Facts: Kenya vs Turkmenistan Wages
- Kenya Minimum Wage
- KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD)
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- Kenya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KSh50,000 /mo ($325.73 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 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 / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04)
Kenya
Turkmenistan
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Kenya is roughly 547 times lower than in Turkmenistan 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 $714/mo in Turkmenistan, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Turkmenistan is 3.2x that of Kenya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Kenya has lower GDP per capita ($6,644 vs $21,213). Kenya's unemployment rate is 5.5% compared to Turkmenistan's 4.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kenya | Turkmenistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | KSh93 $0.61 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | KSh16,113.75 $104.98 | T1,160 $331.43 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | KSh50,000 /mo $325.73 | T2,500 /mo $714.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | KSh38,500 /mo $250.81 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | KSh180,000 /yr $1,172.64 | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 |
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.
- Turkmenistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Saturday and Sunday are rest days. State-sector employees work standard government hours. The gas industry may have different shift arrangements.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Kenya earns 54604% less per hour in USD terms than one in Turkmenistan. Standard work weeks differ: Kenya mandates 52 hours while Turkmenistan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Kenya are $32 vs $13,257 in Turkmenistan.
See this comparison from Turkmenistan's perspective: Turkmenistan vs Kenya
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kenya or Turkmenistan?
In Kenya, the minimum wage is KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD). In Turkmenistan, it is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 54604% 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 less does the average worker earn in Kenya compared to Turkmenistan?
The average gross salary in Kenya is KSh50,000/mo ($325.73 USD), compared to T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD) in Turkmenistan. In USD terms, workers in Kenya earn approximately 119% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kenya and Turkmenistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkmenistan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Kenya.
How do work hours compare between Kenya and Turkmenistan?
Kenya has a longer standard work week at 52 hours, compared to 40 hours in Turkmenistan. Workers in Kenya work 52 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Turkmenistan 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 Turkmenistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Turkmenistan has the higher GDP per capita at $21,213, which is 3.2x 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.