Key Facts: Niger vs Paraguay Wages
- Niger Minimum Wage
- CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
- Paraguay Minimum Wage
- ₲14,574/hr ($1.94 USD)
- Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Paraguay Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₲4,500,000 /mo ($598.40 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social (MTESS); 2024 figure corrected via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-07-01) (2026-05-04)
Niger
Paraguay
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Niger is roughly 28 times higher than in Paraguay 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 $598/mo in Paraguay, a 2.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Paraguay is 9.0x that of Niger, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Niger has lower GDP per capita ($2,050 vs $18,524). Niger's unemployment rate is 0.4% compared to Paraguay's 4.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Niger | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₲14,574 $1.94 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₲93,277 $12.40 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA30,047 $53.94 | ₲2,798,309 $372.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₲33,579,708 $4,465.39 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | ₲4,500,000 /mo $598.40 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₲4,050,000 /mo $538.56 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA150,000 /yr $269.30 | ₲26,400,000 /yr $3,510.64 |
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.
- Paraguay
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Código del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 42 hours for night work, and 45 for mixed shifts. Overtime: 50% surcharge for daytime, 100% for night/holiday overtime. Weekly rest on Sunday is mandatory.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Paraguay to Niger would see a 2683% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Niger mandates 40 hours while Paraguay mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Niger are $2,158 vs $93 in Paraguay.
See this comparison from Paraguay's perspective: Paraguay vs Niger
Compare Niger with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Niger or Paraguay?
In Niger, the minimum wage is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). In Paraguay, it is ₲14,574/hr ($1.94 USD). Niger has the higher rate by 2683% 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 Paraguay 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 Paraguay?
The average gross salary in Niger is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to ₲4,500,000/mo ($598.40 USD) in Paraguay. In USD terms, workers in Niger earn approximately 178% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Niger and Paraguay is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Paraguay 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 Paraguay?
Paraguay 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 Paraguay?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Paraguay has the higher GDP per capita at $18,524, which is 9.0x 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.