Key Facts: Liberia vs Gabon Wages
- Liberia Minimum Wage
- $156/mo
- Gabon Minimum Wage
- FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD)
- Liberia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Gabon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA555,000 /mo ($996.41 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour (Liberia) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Employment and Vocational Training / Labour Code of Gabon (2026-02-25)
Liberia
Gabon
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Liberia is roughly 100 times higher than in Gabon in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $350/mo in Liberia versus $996/mo in Gabon, a 2.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Gabon is 11.5x that of Liberia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Liberia has lower GDP per capita ($1,871 vs $21,510). Liberia's unemployment rate is 2.9% compared to Gabon's 20.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Liberia | Gabon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | FCFA865.38 $1.55 |
| Minimum wage /day | $6 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | $156 | FCFA150,000 $269.30 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | FCFA1,800,000 $3,231.60 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $350 /mo | FCFA555,000 /mo $996.41 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | FCFA430,000 /mo $771.99 |
| Median individual income /yr | $900 /yr | FCFA2,400,000 /yr $4,308.80 |
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.
- Gabon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime capped at 20 hours/week, permitted only for exceptional, urgent, or seasonal work. Weekday overtime at 125% of normal rate; Sundays/public holidays at 150-200%. Employees entitled to 10 consecutive hours of daily rest and one full day of weekly rest (usually Sunday). Governed by the Labour Code (Code du Travail).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Gabon to Liberia would see a 9941% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Liberia mandates 48 hours while Gabon mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Liberia are $7,488 vs $62 in Gabon.
See this comparison from Gabon's perspective: Gabon vs Liberia
Compare Liberia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Liberia or Gabon?
In Liberia, the minimum wage is $156/mo. In Gabon, it is FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD). Liberia has the higher rate by 9941% 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 Gabon 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 Gabon?
The average gross salary in Liberia is $350/mo, compared to FCFA555,000/mo ($996.41 USD) in Gabon. In USD terms, workers in Liberia earn approximately 185% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Liberia and Gabon is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Gabon earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Liberia.
How do work hours compare between Liberia and Gabon?
Liberia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Gabon. Workers in Liberia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Gabon 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 Liberia and Gabon?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Gabon has the higher GDP per capita at $21,510, which is 11.5x that of Liberia at $1,871. From Liberia'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.