Key Facts: Libya vs Namibia Wages
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Namibia Minimum Wage
- N$18/hr ($1.13 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Namibia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- N$13,500 /mo ($845.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation / Wage Order 2024 (2026-02-25)
Libya
Namibia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Libya is roughly 82 times higher than in Namibia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $370/mo in Libya versus $845/mo in Namibia, a 2.3:1 ratio.
Libya has higher GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $11,687). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Namibia's 19.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Libya | Namibia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | N$18 $1.13 |
| Minimum wage /mo | LD450 $92.59 | N$3,510 $219.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | N$42,120 $2,637.45 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 | N$13,500 /mo $845.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | N$11,000 /mo $688.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 | N$48,000 /yr $3,005.64 |
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.
- Namibia
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act sets maximum ordinary hours at 45 per week (9 hrs/day for 5-day week, 8 hrs/day for 6-day week). Overtime limited to 10 hours/week and 3 hours/day. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Rest days at 2x. Daily rest period of at least 12 consecutive hours. Weekly rest of at least 36 consecutive hours (ideally including Sunday). Annual leave: 20 working days for 5-day week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Namibia to Libya would see a 8115% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Libya mandates 48 hours while Namibia mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Libya are $4,444 vs $51 in Namibia.
See this comparison from Namibia's perspective: Namibia vs Libya
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Namibia?
In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Namibia, it is N$18/hr ($1.13 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 8115% 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 Namibia 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 Namibia?
The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to N$13,500/mo ($845.34 USD) in Namibia. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 128% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Namibia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Namibia 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 Namibia?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Namibia. Workers in Libya work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Namibia 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 Namibia?
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 1.2x that of Namibia at $11,687. 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.