Key Facts: Namibia vs Iran Wages
- Namibia Minimum Wage
- N$18/hr ($1.13 USD)
- Iran Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Namibia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- N$13,500 /mo ($845.34 USD)
- Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation / Wage Order 2024 (2026-02-25), Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04)
Namibia
Iran
Updated 2026-05-04
Namibia, a upper-middle-income economy, and Iran, classified as lower-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average salaries are higher in Namibia at $845/mo compared to $588/mo in Iran. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iran is 1.7x that of Namibia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Namibia's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Namibia's minimum wage buys less than Iran's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Namibia is $3 international dollars, compared to $6 in Iran. Namibia has lower GDP per capita ($11,687 vs $19,874). Namibia's unemployment rate is 19.3% compared to Iran's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Namibia | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | N$18 $1.13 | ﷼692,731 $1.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | N$3,510 $219.79 | ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 |
| Minimum wage /yr | N$42,120 $2,637.45 | ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | N$13,500 /mo $845.34 | ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N$11,000 /mo $688.79 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N$48,000 /yr $3,005.64 | ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Namibia is higher.
Work Week
- Namibia
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act sets maximum ordinary hours at 45 per week (9 hrs/day for 5-day week, 8 hrs/day for 6-day week). Overtime limited to 10 hours/week and 3 hours/day. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Rest days at 2x. Daily rest period of at least 12 consecutive hours. Weekly rest of at least 36 consecutive hours (ideally including Sunday). Annual leave: 20 working days for 5-day week.
- Iran
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Iran to Namibia would see a 11% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. However, after adjusting for cost of living, Iran's minimum wage provides more purchasing power. Standard work weeks differ: Namibia mandates 45 hours while Iran mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Namibia are $51 vs $45 in Iran.
See this comparison from Iran's perspective: Iran vs Namibia
Compare Namibia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Namibia or Iran?
In Namibia, the minimum wage is N$18/hr ($1.13 USD). In Iran, it is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). Namibia has the higher rate by 11% 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 Iran may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Namibia compared to Iran?
The average gross salary in Namibia is N$13,500/mo ($845.34 USD), compared to ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD) in Iran. In USD terms, workers in Namibia earn approximately 44% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Namibia and Iran is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Namibia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Iran.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Namibia or Iran?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Iran can afford more than those in Namibia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3 in Namibia and $6 in Iran. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 125% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Namibia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Namibia and Iran?
Namibia has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in Iran. Workers in Namibia work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Iran 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 Namibia and Iran?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iran has the higher GDP per capita at $19,874, which is 1.7x that of Namibia at $11,687. From Namibia'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.