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Key Facts: Libya vs Finland Wages

Libya Minimum Wage
LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
Finland Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
Finland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
Data Sources
ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö) (2026-02-24)

Libya flag Libya Finland flag Finland

Updated 2026-02-25

Libya flag Libya

Minimum Wage

LD450 /mo

$92.59 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

LD1,800 /mo

Finland flag Finland

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

€3,900 /mo

Avg. salary: -92% Libya vs Finland

Unlike Finland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Libya mandates a wage floor of $93/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $370/mo in Libya versus $4,542/mo in Finland, a 12.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Finland is 4.6x that of Libya, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Libya has lower GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $65,378). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Finland's 9.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Libya and Finland
Metric Libya Finland
Minimum wage /mo LD450 $92.59 None
Avg. gross salary /mo LD1,800 /mo $370.37 €3,900 /mo $4,541.75
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo €2,700 /mo $3,144.29
Median individual income /yr LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 €35,000 /yr $40,759.29

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.

Finland

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (Working Hours Act / Työaikalaki). Regular daily working hours are 8 hours. Overtime for the first 2 hours is compensated at 150% and subsequent hours at 200%. Maximum overtime is 250 hours per calendar year. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Libya mandates 48 hours while Finland mandates 40 hours.

See this comparison from Finland's perspective: Finland vs Libya

Compare Libya with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Finland?

In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Finland, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much less does the average worker earn in Libya compared to Finland?

The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD) in Finland. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 1126% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Finland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Finland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Libya.

How do work hours compare between Libya and Finland?

Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Finland. Workers in Libya work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Finland 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 Finland?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Finland has the higher GDP per capita at $65,378, which is 4.6x that of Libya at $14,304. From Libya'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.