Key Facts: Liberia vs Eritrea Wages
- Liberia Minimum Wage
- $156/mo
- Eritrea Minimum Wage
- Nfk600/mo ($40 USD)
- Liberia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Eritrea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nfk6,000 /mo ($400 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour (Liberia) (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHCHR Eritrea reports (2026-02-25)
Liberia
Eritrea
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Liberia is 290% higher than in Eritrea when converted to USD. Average salaries are lower in Liberia at $350/mo compared to $400/mo in Eritrea. Liberia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.9% compared to 6.0%.
From Liberia's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Liberia's minimum wage buys more than Eritrea's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Liberia is $339 international dollars, compared to $121 in Eritrea. Liberia's unemployment rate is 2.9% compared to Eritrea's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Liberia | Eritrea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | $6 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | $156 | Nfk600 $40 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $350 /mo | Nfk6,000 /mo $400 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | Nfk5,400 /mo $360 |
| Median individual income /yr | $900 /yr | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Liberia is higher.
Work Week
- Liberia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Decent Work Act 2015 sets a standard workweek of 8 hours/day, 6 days/week (48 hours). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply to formal-sector employers.
- Eritrea
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Labour Law sets 44 hours/week for civilian workers (8 hours/day, 5.5 days). However, the national service program operates under military regulations outside normal labour law. No reliable enforcement or monitoring data is available.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Eritrea to Liberia would see a 290% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Liberia mandates 48 hours while Eritrea mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Liberia are $7,488 vs $1,760 in Eritrea.
See this comparison from Eritrea's perspective: Eritrea vs Liberia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Liberia or Eritrea?
In Liberia, the minimum wage is $156/mo. In Eritrea, it is Nfk600/mo ($40 USD). Liberia has the higher rate by 290% 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 Eritrea may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Liberia compared to Eritrea?
The average gross salary in Liberia is $350/mo, compared to Nfk6,000/mo ($400 USD) in Eritrea. In USD terms, workers in Liberia earn approximately 14% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Liberia and Eritrea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Eritrea earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Liberia.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Liberia or Eritrea?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Liberia can afford more than those in Eritrea. The PPP-adjusted rate is $339 in Liberia and $121 in Eritrea. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 179% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Eritrea appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Liberia and Eritrea?
Liberia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Eritrea. Workers in Liberia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Eritrea 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.