Key Facts: Niger vs Egypt Wages
- Niger Minimum Wage
- CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
- Egypt Minimum Wage
- E£29.17/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Egypt Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- E£6,833 /mo ($134.51 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Manpower / National Wages Council; 2025 and 2026 announcements verified via JETRO citing Egyptian government sources (2026-05-27)
Niger
Egypt
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Niger is roughly 94 times higher than in Egypt in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Niger at $215/mo compared to $135/mo in Egypt. GDP per capita (PPP) in Egypt is 9.3x that of Niger, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Niger has lower GDP per capita ($2,050 vs $19,094). Niger's unemployment rate is 0.4% compared to Egypt's 6.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Niger | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | E£29.17 $0.57 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA30,047 $53.94 | E£7,000 $137.80 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | E£84,000 $1,653.54 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | E£6,833 /mo $134.51 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | E£6,150 /mo $121.06 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA150,000 /yr $269.30 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Egypt
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Law No. 12 of 2003 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week (excluding meal breaks). Overtime premium: 35% during the day, 70% at night. Maximum 2 overtime hours/day. Friday is the default weekly rest day. During Ramadan, working hours are commonly reduced in practice.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Egypt to Niger would see a 9294% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Niger mandates 40 hours while Egypt mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Niger are $2,158 vs $28 in Egypt.
See this comparison from Egypt's perspective: Egypt vs Niger
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Niger or Egypt?
In Niger, the minimum wage is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). In Egypt, it is E£29.17/hr ($0.57 USD). Niger has the higher rate by 9294% 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 Egypt may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Niger compared to Egypt?
The average gross salary in Niger is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to E£6,833/mo ($134.51 USD) in Egypt. In USD terms, workers in Niger earn approximately 60% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Niger and Egypt is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Niger earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Egypt.
How do work hours compare between Niger and Egypt?
Egypt has a longer standard work week at 48 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 Egypt?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Egypt has the higher GDP per capita at $19,094, which is 9.3x 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.