Key Facts: Namibia vs Niger Wages
- Namibia Minimum Wage
- N$18/hr ($1.13 USD)
- Niger Minimum Wage
- CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
- Namibia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- N$13,500 /mo ($845.34 USD)
- Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation / Wage Order 2024 (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25)
Namibia
Niger
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Namibia is roughly 48 times lower than in Niger in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $845/mo in Namibia versus $215/mo in Niger, a 3.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Namibia is 5.7x that of Niger, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Namibia has higher GDP per capita ($11,687 vs $2,050). Namibia's unemployment rate is 19.3% compared to Niger's 0.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Namibia | Niger |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | N$18 $1.13 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | N$3,510 $219.79 | CFA30,047 $53.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | N$42,120 $2,637.45 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | N$13,500 /mo $845.34 | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N$11,000 /mo $688.79 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N$48,000 /yr $3,005.64 | CFA150,000 /yr $269.30 |
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.
- Niger
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply only to the small formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Namibia earns 4686% less per hour in USD terms than one in Niger. Standard work weeks differ: Namibia mandates 45 hours while Niger mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Namibia are $51 vs $2,158 in Niger.
See this comparison from Niger's perspective: Niger vs Namibia
Compare Namibia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Namibia or Niger?
In Namibia, the minimum wage is N$18/hr ($1.13 USD). In Niger, it is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). Niger has the higher rate by 4686% 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 Namibia 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 Niger?
The average gross salary in Namibia is N$13,500/mo ($845.34 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Niger. In USD terms, workers in Namibia earn approximately 292% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Namibia and Niger 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 Niger.
How do work hours compare between Namibia and Niger?
Namibia has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Niger. Workers in Namibia work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Niger 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 Niger?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Namibia has the higher GDP per capita at $11,687, which is 5.7x that of Niger at $2,050. From Namibia'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.