Key Facts: Moldova vs Libya Wages
- Moldova Minimum Wage
- L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Moldova Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L15,500 /mo ($905.90 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of the Republic of Moldova / Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Moldova
Libya
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Moldova is roughly 49 times lower than in Libya in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $906/mo in Moldova versus $370/mo in Libya, a 2.4:1 ratio. Moldova has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.5% compared to 18.8%.
Moldova has higher GDP per capita ($18,615 vs $14,304). Moldova's unemployment rate is 1.5% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Moldova | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L32.54 $1.90 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | L5,500 $321.45 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L66,000 $3,857.39 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L15,500 /mo $905.90 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L12,400 /mo $724.72 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | L84,000 /yr $4,909.41 | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Moldova is higher.
Work Week
- Moldova
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Reduced hours (35 hrs/week) for hazardous conditions. Overtime limited to 120 hours per year (240 with employee consent). Overtime premium at least 50% for first 2 hours and 100% thereafter. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Moldova earns 4769% less per hour in USD terms than one in Libya. Standard work weeks differ: Moldova mandates 40 hours while Libya mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Moldova are $76 vs $4,444 in Libya.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Moldova
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Moldova or Libya?
In Moldova, the minimum wage is L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 4769% 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 Moldova may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Moldova compared to Libya?
The average gross salary in Moldova is L15,500/mo ($905.90 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Moldova earn approximately 145% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Moldova and Libya is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Moldova earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Libya.
How do work hours compare between Moldova and Libya?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Moldova. Workers in Moldova work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Moldova 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 Moldova and Libya?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Moldova has the higher GDP per capita at $18,615, which is 1.3x that of Libya at $14,304. From Moldova'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.