Key Facts: Lebanon vs Peru Wages
- Lebanon Minimum Wage
- L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD)
- Peru Minimum Wage
- S/5.89/hr ($1.60 USD)
- Lebanon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L£27,000,000 /mo ($301.68 USD)
- Peru Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S/2,200 /mo ($597.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Lebanon (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo (MTPE); DS 006-2024-TR (1,130 PEN eff 2025-01-01); DS 003-2022-TR (1,025 PEN eff 2022-05-01) (2026-05-27)
Lebanon
Peru
Updated 2026-05-27
Lebanon, a lower-middle-income economy, and Peru, classified as upper-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average salaries are lower in Lebanon at $302/mo compared to $598/mo in Peru. Peru has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.1% compared to 11.0%.
From Lebanon's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Lebanon's minimum wage buys more than Peru's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Lebanon is $7 international dollars, compared to $3 in Peru. Lebanon has lower GDP per capita ($12,575 vs $17,802). Lebanon's unemployment rate is 11.0% compared to Peru's 5.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lebanon | Peru |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L£161,600 $1.81 | S/5.89 $1.60 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L£28,000,000 $312.85 | S/1,130 $307.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L£336,000,000 $3,754.19 | S/15,820 $4,298.91 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L£27,000,000 /mo $301.68 | S/2,200 /mo $597.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L£24,000,000 /mo $268.16 | S/1,870 /mo $508.15 |
| Median individual income /yr | L£144,000,000 /yr $1,608.94 | S/15,600 /yr $4,239.13 |
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.
- Peru
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Constitution sets maximum at 48 hours/week, 8 hours/day (or 6 days at 8 hrs). Office workers commonly work 40-45 hrs. Overtime: first 2 hours at 125%, subsequent hours at 135%. Night shift (10pm-6am) receives a 35% surcharge.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Peru to Lebanon would see a 13% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Peru's perspective: Peru vs Lebanon
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lebanon or Peru?
In Lebanon, the minimum wage is L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD). In Peru, it is S/5.89/hr ($1.60 USD). Lebanon has the higher rate by 13% 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 Peru may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Lebanon compared to Peru?
The average gross salary in Lebanon is L£27,000,000/mo ($301.68 USD), compared to S/2,200/mo ($597.83 USD) in Peru. In USD terms, workers in Lebanon earn approximately 98% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lebanon and Peru is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Peru earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Lebanon.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Lebanon or Peru?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Lebanon can afford more than those in Peru. The PPP-adjusted rate is $7 in Lebanon and $3 in Peru. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 106% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Peru appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Lebanon and Peru?
Both Lebanon and Peru 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 Lebanon and Peru?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Peru has the higher GDP per capita at $17,802, which is 1.4x 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.