Key Facts: Lebanon vs Norway Wages
- Lebanon Minimum Wage
- L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Lebanon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L£27,000,000 /mo ($301.68 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Lebanon (2026-02-25), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Lebanon
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Lebanon mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $302/mo in Lebanon versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 19.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 8.1x that of Lebanon, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Lebanon has lower GDP per capita ($12,575 vs $102,038). Lebanon's unemployment rate is 11.0% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lebanon | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L£161,600 $1.81 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | L£28,000,000 $312.85 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | L£336,000,000 $3,754.19 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L£27,000,000 /mo $301.68 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L£24,000,000 /mo $268.16 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | L£144,000,000 /yr $1,608.94 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Lebanon is higher.
Work Week
- Lebanon
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 150% of normal rate. Overtime on holidays at 200%. In practice, many workers work longer hours due to the economic crisis.
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Lebanon mandates 48 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Lebanon
Compare Lebanon with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lebanon or Norway?
In Lebanon, the minimum wage is L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Lebanon compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Lebanon is L£27,000,000/mo ($301.68 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Lebanon earn approximately 1873% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lebanon and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Lebanon.
How do work hours compare between Lebanon and Norway?
Lebanon has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Lebanon work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Lebanon and Norway?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 8.1x that of Lebanon at $12,575. From Lebanon'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.