Key Facts: Libya vs Greece Wages
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Greece Minimum Wage
- €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Greece Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,400 /mo ($1,630.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-04-01) (2026-05-04)
Libya
Greece
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Libya is roughly 15 times higher than in Greece in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $370/mo in Libya versus $1,630/mo in Greece, a 4.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Greece is 3.1x that of Libya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Libya has lower GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $44,327). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Greece's 8.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Libya | Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | €5.31 $6.18 |
| Minimum wage /mo | LD450 $92.59 | €920 $1,071.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | €12,880 $14,999.42 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 | €1,400 /mo $1,630.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €1,100 /mo $1,281.01 |
| Median individual income /yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 | €12,800 /yr $14,906.25 |
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.
- Greece
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours across 5 days (Labour Law). Overtime beyond 40 hours is compensated at 120% for the first 5 hours per week and 140% thereafter. In 2024, Greece introduced optional 6-day workweek legislation for certain industries, with the 6th day paid at 140%. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Greece to Libya would see a 1397% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Libya mandates 48 hours while Greece mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Libya are $4,444 vs $247 in Greece.
See this comparison from Greece's perspective: Greece vs Libya
Compare Libya with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Greece?
In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Greece, it is €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 1397% 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 Greece may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Libya compared to Greece?
The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to €1,400/mo ($1,630.37 USD) in Greece. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 340% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Greece is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Greece 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 Greece?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Greece. Workers in Libya work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Greece 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 Greece?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Greece has the higher GDP per capita at $44,327, which is 3.1x 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.