Key Facts: Kosovo vs Sierra Leone Wages
- Kosovo Minimum Wage
- €1.57/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Kosovo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €650 /mo ($756.96 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Kosovo Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers / Kosovo Labour Law No. 03/L-212 (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)
Kosovo
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Kosovo is roughly 14 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $757/mo in Kosovo versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 7.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Kosovo is 5.1x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Kosovo has higher GDP per capita ($17,864 vs $3,522).
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kosovo | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €1.57 $1.83 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | €264 $307.44 | Le600 $25.97 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €3,168 $3,689.30 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €650 /mo $756.96 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €580 /mo $675.44 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €3,600 /yr $4,192.38 | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Kosovo is higher.
Work Week
- Kosovo
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Labour Law No. 03/L-212 sets the standard working week at 40 hours (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week (overtime limit: 8 hrs/week, 40 hrs/month, 240 hrs/year). Overtime is compensated at 130% of regular pay. Night work (22:00–06:00) carries a 26% premium. Weekend work is compensated at 150%. Workers are entitled to 18 days of paid annual leave (minimum); employees with disabilities and younger workers get more.
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Kosovo earns 1321% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Kosovo
Compare Kosovo with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kosovo or Sierra Leone?
In Kosovo, the minimum wage is €1.57/hr ($1.83 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 1321% 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 Kosovo may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Kosovo compared to Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in Kosovo is €650/mo ($756.96 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Kosovo earn approximately 599% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kosovo and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kosovo earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Kosovo and Sierra Leone?
Both Kosovo and Sierra Leone mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Kosovo and Sierra Leone?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Kosovo has the higher GDP per capita at $17,864, which is 5.1x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Kosovo'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.