Key Facts: Libya vs Palestine Wages
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Palestine Minimum Wage
- ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Palestine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪3,200 /mo ($1,136.57 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Libya
Palestine
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Libya is roughly 7 times lower than in Palestine in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $370/mo in Libya versus $1,137/mo in Palestine, a 3.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Libya is 3.3x that of Palestine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Libya's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Libya's minimum wage buys less than Palestine's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Libya is $203 international dollars, compared to $3,186 in Palestine. Libya has higher GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $4,371). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Palestine's 24.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Libya | Palestine |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₪86 $30.55 |
| Minimum wage /mo | LD450 $92.59 | ₪1,880 $667.73 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 | ₪3,200 /mo $1,136.57 |
| Median individual income /yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Palestine
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Palestinian Labour Law sets 45 hours/week maximum ordinary time (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime payable at 1.25x. Friday is the weekly rest day. Workers employed in Israel work under Israeli labour law (which has different provisions). The conflict beginning October 2023 has fundamentally disrupted normal labour conditions across the territory.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Libya earns 621% less per hour in USD terms than one in Palestine. Standard work weeks differ: Libya mandates 48 hours while Palestine mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Libya are $4,444 vs $30,048 in Palestine.
See this comparison from Palestine's perspective: Palestine vs Libya
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Palestine?
In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Palestine, it is ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD). Palestine has the higher rate by 621% 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 Libya 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 Palestine?
The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to ₪3,200/mo ($1,136.57 USD) in Palestine. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 207% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Palestine is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Palestine earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Libya.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Libya or Palestine?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Palestine can afford more than those in Libya. The PPP-adjusted rate is $203 in Libya and $3,186 in Palestine. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 1472% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Libya appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Libya and Palestine?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Palestine. Workers in Libya work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Palestine 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 Palestine?
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 3.3x that of Palestine at $4,371. 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.