Key Facts: Kenya vs Uzbekistan Wages
- Kenya Minimum Wage
- KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD)
- Uzbekistan Minimum Wage
- сўм6,838/hr ($0.56 USD)
- Kenya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KSh50,000 /mo ($325.73 USD)
- Uzbekistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- сўм5,357,000 /mo ($439.03 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), Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan (2026-02-25)
Kenya
Uzbekistan
Updated 2026-05-27
Both lower-middle-income economies, Kenya and Uzbekistan set comparable minimum wage floors in USD terms. Average salaries are lower in Kenya at $326/mo compared to $439/mo in Uzbekistan. GDP per capita (PPP) in Uzbekistan is 1.8x that of Kenya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Kenya's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Kenya's minimum wage buys about the same as Uzbekistan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Kenya is $2 international dollars, compared to $2 in Uzbekistan. Kenya has lower GDP per capita ($6,644 vs $11,879). Kenya's unemployment rate is 5.5% compared to Uzbekistan's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kenya | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | KSh93 $0.61 | сўм6,838 $0.56 |
| Minimum wage /mo | KSh16,113.75 $104.98 | сўм1,155,000 $94.66 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | сўм13,860,000 $1,135.88 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | KSh50,000 /mo $325.73 | сўм5,357,000 /mo $439.03 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | KSh38,500 /mo $250.81 | сўм4,714,000 /mo $386.33 |
| Median individual income /yr | KSh180,000 /yr $1,172.64 | сўм30,000,000 /yr $2,458.61 |
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.
- Uzbekistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours. Reduced hours (36 hrs) for workers aged 16-18, hazardous conditions, and night work. Overtime limited to 4 hours per day and 120 hours per year. Overtime is compensated at double rate. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%. Holiday work at double rate.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Uzbekistan to Kenya would see a 8% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Kenya mandates 52 hours while Uzbekistan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Kenya are $32 vs $22 in Uzbekistan.
See this comparison from Uzbekistan's perspective: Uzbekistan vs Kenya
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kenya or Uzbekistan?
In Kenya, the minimum wage is KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD). In Uzbekistan, it is сўм6,838/hr ($0.56 USD). Kenya has the higher rate by 8% 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 Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
The average gross salary in Kenya is KSh50,000/mo ($325.73 USD), compared to сўм5,357,000/mo ($439.03 USD) in Uzbekistan. In USD terms, workers in Kenya earn approximately 35% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kenya and Uzbekistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Kenya can afford more than those in Uzbekistan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $2 in Kenya and $2 in Uzbekistan. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 6% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Uzbekistan appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Kenya and Uzbekistan?
Kenya has a longer standard work week at 52 hours, compared to 40 hours in Uzbekistan. Workers in Kenya work 52 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Uzbekistan has the higher GDP per capita at $11,879, which is 1.8x 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.