Key Facts: Libya vs Rwanda Wages
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Rwanda Minimum Wage
- FRw14.08/hr ($0.01 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Rwanda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FRw73,948 /mo ($50.61 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Public Service and Labour / ILO (2026-02-25)
Libya
Rwanda
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Libya is roughly 9608 times higher than in Rwanda in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $370/mo in Libya versus $51/mo in Rwanda, a 7.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Libya is 3.9x that of Rwanda, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Libya has higher GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $3,711). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Rwanda's 11.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Libya | Rwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | FRw14.08 $0.01 |
| Minimum wage /mo | LD450 $92.59 | FRw2,440 $1.67 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 | FRw73,948 /mo $50.61 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | FRw62,000 /mo $42.44 |
| Median individual income /yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 | FRw240,000 /yr $164.27 |
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.
- Rwanda
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 55 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours per Law No. 66/2018 Regulating Labor in Rwanda. Overtime limited to 2 hours/day and 10 hours/week (max 55 hours total). Overtime permitted for urgent, exceptional, or seasonal work. Overtime compensation varies by sector agreement. Daily working hours typically 9 hours over 5 days.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Rwanda to Libya would see a 960680% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Libya mandates 48 hours while Rwanda mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Libya are $4,444 vs $0 in Rwanda.
See this comparison from Rwanda's perspective: Rwanda vs Libya
Compare Libya with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Rwanda?
In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Rwanda, it is FRw14.08/hr ($0.01 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 960680% 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 Rwanda may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Libya compared to Rwanda?
The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to FRw73,948/mo ($50.61 USD) in Rwanda. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 632% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Rwanda is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Libya earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Rwanda.
How do work hours compare between Libya and Rwanda?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Rwanda. Workers in Libya work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Rwanda 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 Rwanda?
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 3.9x that of Rwanda at $3,711. 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.