Laos Central African Republic

Updated 2026-02-25

Laos

Minimum Wage

₭10,417 /hr

$0.48 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₭4,000,000 /mo

Central African Republic

Minimum Wage

FCFA35,000 /mo

$62.84 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FCFA75,000 /mo

Min wage: -99% Laos vs Central African Republic Avg. salary: +38% Laos vs Central African Republic

The minimum wage in Laos is roughly 130 times lower than in the Central African Republic in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Laos at $186/mo compared to $135/mo in the Central African Republic. GDP per capita (PPP) in Laos is 7.7x that of Central African Republic, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Laos has higher GDP per capita ($9,776 vs $1,263). Laos' unemployment rate is 1.2% compared to the Central African Republic's 6.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Laos and Central African Republic
Metric	Laos	Central African Republic	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	₭10,417 $0.48	—	—
Minimum wage /day	—	FCFA1,400 $2.51	—
Minimum wage /mo	₭2,500,000 $116.12	FCFA35,000 $62.84	+84.8%
Avg. gross salary /mo	₭4,000,000 /mo $185.79	FCFA75,000 /mo $134.65	+38.0%
Avg. net salary /mo	₭3,600,000 /mo $167.21	N/A/mo	—
Median individual income /yr	₭18,000,000 /yr $836.04	N/A/yr	—

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Laos is higher.

Work Week

Laos: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Workers in dangerous conditions are limited to 6 hours/day or 36 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 45 hours/month or 3 hours/day. Overtime compensation: 1.5x regular rate on normal days, 2.5x on weekly rest days during daytime, 3x on rest days at night. Governed by the Labour Law.
Central African Republic: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

The Labour Code sets a standard 40-hour workweek, with maximum 48 hours including overtime. These provisions apply to formal employment only, which represents a small fraction of total employment. Enforcement capacity is severely constrained by institutional fragility.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Laos earns 12887% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Central African Republic. Standard work weeks differ: Laos mandates 48 hours while the Central African Republic mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Laos are $23 vs $2,513 in the Central African Republic.

See this comparison from Central African Republic's perspective: Central African Republic vs Laos

Compare Laos with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Laos or Central African Republic?

In Laos, the minimum wage is ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD). In the Central African Republic, it is FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD). Central African Republic has the higher rate by 12887% 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 Laos may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Laos compared to Central African Republic?

The average gross salary in Laos is ₭4,000,000/mo ($185.79 USD), compared to FCFA75,000/mo ($134.65 USD) in the Central African Republic. In USD terms, workers in Laos earn approximately 38% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Laos and Central African Republic is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Laos earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Central African Republic.

How do work hours compare between Laos and Central African Republic?

Laos has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Central African Republic. Workers in Laos work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Central African Republic 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 Laos and Central African Republic?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Laos has the higher GDP per capita at $9,776, which is 7.7x that of Central African Republic at $1,263. From Laos' 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.