Key Facts: Lebanon vs Sierra Leone Wages
- Lebanon Minimum Wage
- L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD)
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Lebanon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L£27,000,000 /mo ($301.68 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Lebanon (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)
Lebanon
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Lebanon is roughly 14 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $302/mo in Lebanon versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 2.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Lebanon is 3.6x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Lebanon has higher GDP per capita ($12,575 vs $3,522). Lebanon's unemployment rate is 11.0% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lebanon | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L£161,600 $1.81 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | L£28,000,000 $312.85 | Le600 $25.97 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L£336,000,000 $3,754.19 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L£27,000,000 /mo $301.68 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L£24,000,000 /mo $268.16 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | L£144,000,000 /yr $1,608.94 | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
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.
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Lebanon earns 1339% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone. Standard work weeks differ: Lebanon mandates 48 hours while Sierra Leone mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Lebanon are $87 vs $1,039 in Sierra Leone.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Lebanon
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lebanon or Sierra Leone?
In Lebanon, the minimum wage is L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 1339% 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 Lebanon may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Lebanon compared to Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in Lebanon is L£27,000,000/mo ($301.68 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Lebanon earn approximately 179% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lebanon and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Lebanon earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Lebanon and Sierra Leone?
Lebanon has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sierra Leone. Workers in Lebanon work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Lebanon has the higher GDP per capita at $12,575, which is 3.6x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Lebanon'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.