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Key Facts: Libya vs Norway Wages

Libya Minimum Wage
LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
Norway Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
Data Sources
ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)

Libya flag Libya Norway flag Norway

Updated 2026-05-28

Libya flag Libya

Minimum Wage

LD450 /mo

$92.59 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

LD1,800 /mo

Norway flag Norway

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr55,150 /mo

Avg. salary: -94% Libya vs Norway

Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Libya mandates a wage floor of $93/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $370/mo in Libya versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 16.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 7.1x that of Libya, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Libya has lower GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $102,038). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Norway's 4.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Libya and Norway
Metric Libya Norway
Minimum wage /mo LD450 $92.59 None
Avg. gross salary /mo LD1,800 /mo $370.37 kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80
Median individual income /yr LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49

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.

Norway

37.5 hrs/wk standard

Max 40 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.4x pay

The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Libya mandates 48 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.

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

Compare Libya with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Norway?

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

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

The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 1507% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway 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 Norway?

Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Libya work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Norway?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 7.1x 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.