Key Facts: Lesotho vs Honduras Wages
- Lesotho Minimum Wage
- L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD)
- Honduras Minimum Wage
- L50.80/hr ($1.92 USD)
- Lesotho Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L4,500 /mo ($281.07 USD)
- Honduras Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L18,265 /mo ($688.73 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Employment (Lesotho) / Wages Order (2026-02-25), Secretaría de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (STSS) — Honduras (2026-02-25)
Lesotho
Honduras
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Lesotho is roughly 65 times higher than in Honduras in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $281/mo in Lesotho versus $689/mo in Honduras, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Honduras is 2.5x that of Lesotho, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Lesotho has lower GDP per capita ($3,001 vs $7,486). Lesotho's unemployment rate is 16.3% compared to Honduras' 4.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lesotho | Honduras |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | L50.80 $1.92 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,000 $124.92 | L12,191.70 $459.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | L158,492.10 $5,976.32 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L4,500 /mo $281.07 | L18,265 /mo $688.73 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | L15,500 /mo $584.46 |
| Median individual income /yr | L18,000 /yr $1,124.30 | L108,000 /yr $4,072.40 |
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.
- Honduras
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum at 44 hours/week for daytime work (8 hours/day, 6 days). Nighttime shifts max at 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Mixed shifts at 42 hours/week (7 hours/day). Overtime paid at 1.5x the normal rate.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Honduras to Lesotho would see a 6422% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Lesotho mandates 45 hours while Honduras mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Lesotho are $5,621 vs $84 in Honduras.
See this comparison from Honduras's perspective: Honduras vs Lesotho
Compare Lesotho with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lesotho or Honduras?
In Lesotho, the minimum wage is L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD). In Honduras, it is L50.80/hr ($1.92 USD). Lesotho has the higher rate by 6422% 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 Honduras may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Lesotho compared to Honduras?
The average gross salary in Lesotho is L4,500/mo ($281.07 USD), compared to L18,265/mo ($688.73 USD) in Honduras. In USD terms, workers in Lesotho earn approximately 145% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lesotho and Honduras is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Honduras earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Lesotho.
How do work hours compare between Lesotho and Honduras?
Lesotho has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in Honduras. Workers in Lesotho work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Honduras 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 Honduras?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Honduras has the higher GDP per capita at $7,486, which is 2.5x 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.