Laos Somalia

Updated 2026-02-25

Laos

Minimum Wage

₭10,417 /hr

$0.48 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₭4,000,000 /mo

Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Avg. salary: -29% Laos vs Somalia

Unlike Somalia, which has no statutory minimum wage, Laos mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average salaries are lower in Laos at $186/mo compared to $263/mo in Somalia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Laos is 6.1x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Laos has higher GDP per capita ($9,776 vs $1,602). Laos' unemployment rate is 1.2% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Laos and Somalia
Metric	Laos	Somalia	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	₭10,417 $0.48	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	₭2,500,000 $116.12	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	₭4,000,000 /mo $185.79	Sh150,000 /mo $262.70	-29.3%
Avg. net salary /mo	₭3,600,000 /mo $167.21	Sh140,000 /mo $245.18	-31.8%
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.
Somalia: 48 hrs/wk standard

No reliable standardised workweek provisions are enforced. Friday is the weekly rest day. Labour conditions vary widely between sectors — from formal NGO employment with international standards to highly exploitative informal arrangements. Somaliland and Puntland have some locally administered labour rules.

See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs Laos

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Laos or Somalia?

In Laos, the minimum wage is ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much less does the average worker earn in Laos compared to Somalia?

The average gross salary in Laos is ₭4,000,000/mo ($185.79 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Laos earn approximately 41% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Laos and Somalia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Somalia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Laos.

How do work hours compare between Laos and Somalia?

Both Laos and Somalia mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Laos and Somalia?

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 6.1x that of Somalia at $1,602. 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.