Key Facts: Niger vs Chile Wages
- Niger Minimum Wage
- CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
- Chile Minimum Wage
- CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD)
- Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Chile Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CLP750,000 /mo ($816.99 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25), Dirección del Trabajo / Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social; 2026 rate per Ley 21.751 (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-27)
Niger
Chile
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Niger is roughly 17 times higher than in Chile in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $215/mo in Niger versus $817/mo in Chile, a 3.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Chile is 17.6x that of Niger, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Niger has lower GDP per capita ($2,050 vs $36,181). Niger's unemployment rate is 0.4% compared to Chile's 9.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Niger | Chile |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CLP2,994 $3.26 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA30,047 $53.94 | CLP539,000 $587.15 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | CLP7,007,000 $7,632.90 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | CLP750,000 /mo $816.99 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | CLP622,500 /mo $678.10 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA150,000 /yr $269.30 | CLP6,000,000 /yr $6,535.95 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Niger is higher.
Work 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.
- Chile
-
43 hrs/wk standard
Max 43 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Chile to Niger would see a 1554% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Niger mandates 40 hours while Chile mandates 43 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Niger are $2,158 vs $140 in Chile.
See this comparison from Chile's perspective: Chile vs Niger
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Niger or Chile?
In Niger, the minimum wage is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). In Chile, it is CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD). Niger has the higher rate by 1554% 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 Chile may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Niger compared to Chile?
The average gross salary in Niger is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to CLP750,000/mo ($816.99 USD) in Chile. In USD terms, workers in Niger earn approximately 279% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Niger and Chile is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Chile earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Niger.
How do work hours compare between Niger and Chile?
Chile has a longer standard work week at 43 hours, compared to 40 hours in Niger. Workers in Niger work 40 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 Niger and Chile?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Chile has the higher GDP per capita at $36,181, which is 17.6x that of Niger at $2,050. From Niger'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.