Key Facts: Libya vs Cameroon Wages
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Cameroon Minimum Wage
- FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Cameroon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA200,000 /mo ($359.07 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale — Cameroon (2026-02-25)
Libya
Cameroon
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Libya is roughly 203 times higher than in Cameroon in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Libya at $370/mo compared to $359/mo in Cameroon. GDP per capita (PPP) in Libya is 2.6x that of Cameroon, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Libya has higher GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $5,589). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Cameroon's 3.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Libya | Cameroon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | FCFA254 $0.46 |
| Minimum wage /mo | LD450 $92.59 | FCFA43,969 $78.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | FCFA527,628 $947.27 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 | FCFA200,000 /mo $359.07 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | FCFA170,000 /mo $305.21 |
| Median individual income /yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 | FCFA600,000 /yr $1,077.20 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Libya is higher.
Work Week
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
- Cameroon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week for non-agricultural workers and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 120% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 140% for subsequent hours. Night work and holiday work have higher multipliers.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cameroon to Libya would see a 20205% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Libya mandates 48 hours while Cameroon mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Libya are $4,444 vs $18 in Cameroon.
See this comparison from Cameroon's perspective: Cameroon vs Libya
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Cameroon?
In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Cameroon, it is FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 20205% 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 Cameroon may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Libya compared to Cameroon?
The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to FCFA200,000/mo ($359.07 USD) in Cameroon. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 3% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Cameroon is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Libya earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cameroon.
How do work hours compare between Libya and Cameroon?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Cameroon. Workers in Libya work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Cameroon 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 Libya and Cameroon?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Libya has the higher GDP per capita at $14,304, which is 2.6x that of Cameroon at $5,589. From Libya'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.