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Key Facts: Libya vs Qatar Wages

Libya Minimum Wage
LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
Qatar Minimum Wage
QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
Data Sources
ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24)

Libya flag Libya Qatar flag Qatar

Updated 2026-02-25

Libya flag Libya

Minimum Wage

LD450 /mo

$92.59 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

LD1,800 /mo

Qatar flag Qatar

Minimum Wage

QAR5.21 /hr

$1.43 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

QAR11,724 /mo

Min wage: +6369% Libya vs Qatar Avg. salary: -89% Libya vs Qatar

The minimum wage in Libya is roughly 65 times higher than in Qatar 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 $3,221/mo in Qatar, a 8.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 8.8x that of Libya, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Libya has lower GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $126,046). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Qatar's 0.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Libya and Qatar
Metric Libya Qatar
Minimum wage /hr QAR5.21 $1.43
Minimum wage /mo LD450 $92.59 QAR1,000 $274.73
Minimum wage /yr QAR12,000 $3,296.70
Avg. gross salary /mo LD1,800 /mo $370.37 QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88
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.

Qatar

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium: 25% of basic wage. Work between 9pm and 6am attracts a 50% premium. Government sector typically works 35-40 hours/week.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Qatar to Libya would see a 6369% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Qatar?

In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Qatar, it is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 6369% 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 Qatar 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 Qatar?

The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD) in Qatar. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 770% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Qatar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Qatar 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 Qatar?

Both Libya and Qatar mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.

What is the cost of living difference between Libya and Qatar?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Qatar has the higher GDP per capita at $126,046, which is 8.8x 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.