Key Facts: Lesotho vs Angola Wages
- Lesotho Minimum Wage
- L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD)
- Angola Minimum Wage
- Kz167.60/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Lesotho Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L4,500 /mo ($281.07 USD)
- Angola Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Kz150,000 /mo ($162.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Employment (Lesotho) / Wages Order (2026-02-25), Angolan Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security (MAPTSS) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Lesotho
Angola
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Lesotho is roughly 689 times higher than in Angola in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Lesotho at $281/mo compared to $162/mo in Angola. GDP per capita (PPP) in Angola is 3.4x that of Lesotho, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Lesotho has lower GDP per capita ($3,001 vs $10,119). Lesotho's unemployment rate is 16.3% compared to Angola's 14.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lesotho | Angola |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Kz167.60 $0.18 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Kz1,342 $1.45 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,000 $124.92 | Kz32,181 $34.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Kz386,172 $417.48 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L4,500 /mo $281.07 | Kz150,000 /mo $162.16 |
| Median individual income /yr | L18,000 /yr $1,124.30 | Kz432,000 /yr $467.03 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Lesotho is higher.
Work Week
- Lesotho
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.33x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 45 hours/week (9 hrs/day, 5 days or 7.5 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours/week including overtime (9 hours overtime limit). Overtime paid at 1.33x normal rate. Sunday rest day and 12 public holidays per year.
- Angola
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
General Labour Law (Lei Geral do Trabalho) sets standard hours at 44/week (8 hrs/day over 5.5 days). Maximum total (including overtime) is 54 hours/week. Overtime hours 1–2 are compensated at 150%; hours beyond 2 at 175%; Sunday/holiday at 200%. Night work (9pm–6am) carries a 25% premium. Workers receive a mandatory 13th-month salary bonus annually.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Angola to Lesotho would see a 68846% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Lesotho mandates 45 hours while Angola mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Lesotho are $5,621 vs $8 in Angola.
See this comparison from Angola's perspective: Angola vs Lesotho
Compare Lesotho with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lesotho or Angola?
In Lesotho, the minimum wage is L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD). In Angola, it is Kz167.60/hr ($0.18 USD). Lesotho has the higher rate by 68846% 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 Angola may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Lesotho compared to Angola?
The average gross salary in Lesotho is L4,500/mo ($281.07 USD), compared to Kz150,000/mo ($162.16 USD) in Angola. In USD terms, workers in Lesotho earn approximately 73% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lesotho and Angola is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Lesotho earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Angola.
How do work hours compare between Lesotho and Angola?
Lesotho has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in Angola. Workers in Lesotho work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Angola 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 Lesotho and Angola?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Angola has the higher GDP per capita at $10,119, which is 3.4x that of Lesotho at $3,001. From Lesotho'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.