Key Facts: Latvia vs Guinea Wages
- Latvia Minimum Wage
- €4.50/hr ($5.24 USD)
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- Latvia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,600 /mo ($1,863.28 USD)
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 USD)
- Data Sources
- State Revenue Service (Valsts ieņēmumu dienests); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25)
Latvia
Guinea
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Latvia is roughly 10 times lower than in Guinea in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,863/mo in Latvia versus $174/mo in Guinea, a 10.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Latvia is 9.5x that of Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Latvia has higher GDP per capita ($43,394 vs $4,565). Latvia's unemployment rate is 6.6% compared to Guinea's 5.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Latvia | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €4.50 $5.24 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | €780 $908.35 | FG440,000 $51.04 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €9,360 $10,900.20 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €1,600 /mo $1,863.28 | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,180 /mo $1,374.17 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €10,200 /yr $11,878.42 | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Latvia is higher.
Work Week
- Latvia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Overtime is limited and must be compensated at 100% premium (double rate). Night work premium at least 50%. Overtime not to exceed 144 hours in a 4-month period.
- Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week for formal-sector employees. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for weekday hours, 2x for work on rest days. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Latvia earns 874% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guinea.
See this comparison from Guinea's perspective: Guinea vs Latvia
Compare Latvia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Latvia or Guinea?
In Latvia, the minimum wage is €4.50/hr ($5.24 USD). In Guinea, it is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). Guinea has the higher rate by 874% 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 Latvia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Latvia compared to Guinea?
The average gross salary in Latvia is €1,600/mo ($1,863.28 USD), compared to FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD) in Guinea. In USD terms, workers in Latvia earn approximately 971% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Latvia and Guinea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Latvia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Latvia and Guinea?
Both Latvia and Guinea 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 Latvia and Guinea?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Latvia has the higher GDP per capita at $43,394, which is 9.5x that of Guinea at $4,565. From Latvia'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.