Key Facts: Niger vs Colombia Wages
- Niger Minimum Wage
- CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
- Colombia Minimum Wage
- COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
- Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25), Ministerio del Trabajo y Seguridad Social; 2026 SMLMV per Decretos 1469 y 1470 de 2025 + Decreto 0159 de 2026 (auxilio de transporte) (2026-05-27)
Niger
Colombia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Niger is roughly 31 times higher than in Colombia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $215/mo in Niger versus $533/mo in Colombia, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Colombia is 10.9x that of Niger, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Niger has lower GDP per capita ($2,050 vs $22,349). Niger's unemployment rate is 0.4% compared to Colombia's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Niger | Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | COP7,295.44 $1.77 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA30,047 $53.94 | COP1,750,905 $423.95 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | COP22,761,765 $5,511.32 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA150,000 /yr $269.30 | COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 |
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.
- Colombia
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Colombia is reducing the workweek from 48 to 42 hours under Ley 2101 de 2021 in annual steps. As of 2026-01-01, the maximum is 44 hours/week. The final step (44h → 42h) takes effect July 2026. Daytime overtime: 25% premium. Night overtime: 75% premium. Sunday/holiday work: 75% premium (175% if also overtime).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Colombia to Niger would see a 2954% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Niger mandates 40 hours while Colombia mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Niger are $2,158 vs $78 in Colombia.
See this comparison from Colombia's perspective: Colombia vs Niger
Compare Niger with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Niger or Colombia?
In Niger, the minimum wage is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). In Colombia, it is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). Niger has the higher rate by 2954% 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 Colombia 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 Colombia?
The average gross salary in Niger is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD) in Colombia. In USD terms, workers in Niger earn approximately 147% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Niger and Colombia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Colombia 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 Colombia?
Colombia has a longer standard work week at 44 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 Colombia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Colombia has the higher GDP per capita at $22,349, which is 10.9x 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.