Key Facts: Namibia vs Philippines Wages
- Namibia Minimum Wage
- N$18/hr ($1.13 USD)
- Philippines Minimum Wage
- ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD)
- Namibia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- N$13,500 /mo ($845.34 USD)
- Philippines Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₱20,000 /mo ($323.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation / Wage Order 2024 (2026-02-25), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) / National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC); 2025 figures verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 18 July 2025) (2026-05-04)
Namibia
Philippines
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Namibia is roughly 260 times lower than in the Philippines in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $845/mo in Namibia versus $324/mo in the Philippines, a 2.6:1 ratio. Philippines has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.2% compared to 19.3%.
Namibia has lower GDP per capita ($11,687 vs $11,794). Namibia's unemployment rate is 19.3% compared to the Philippines' 2.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Namibia | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | N$18 $1.13 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₱695 $11.25 |
| Minimum wage /mo | N$3,510 $219.79 | ₱18,070 $292.62 |
| Minimum wage /yr | N$42,120 $2,637.45 | ₱234,910 $3,804.09 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | N$13,500 /mo $845.34 | ₱20,000 /mo $323.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N$11,000 /mo $688.79 | ₱17,600 /mo $285.01 |
| Median individual income /yr | N$48,000 /yr $3,005.64 | ₱156,000 /yr $2,526.23 |
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.
- Philippines
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labor Code sets normal working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Overtime: 25% premium on regular days, 30% on rest days/holidays. Night shift differential (10pm-6am): 10% additional. Special non-working holidays: 30% premium. Regular holidays: 100% premium.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Namibia earns 25862% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Philippines. Standard work weeks differ: Namibia mandates 45 hours while the Philippines mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Namibia are $51 vs $14,046 in the Philippines.
See this comparison from Philippines's perspective: Philippines vs Namibia
Compare Namibia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Namibia or Philippines?
In Namibia, the minimum wage is N$18/hr ($1.13 USD). In the Philippines, it is ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD). Philippines has the higher rate by 25862% 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 Philippines?
The average gross salary in Namibia is N$13,500/mo ($845.34 USD), compared to ₱20,000/mo ($323.88 USD) in the Philippines. In USD terms, workers in Namibia earn approximately 161% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Namibia and Philippines 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 the Philippines.
How do work hours compare between Namibia and Philippines?
Philippines has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Namibia. Workers in Namibia work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Namibia 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 Philippines?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Philippines has the higher GDP per capita at $11,794, which is 1.0x 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.