Key Facts: Niger vs Somalia Wages
- Niger Minimum Wage
- CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25)
Niger
Somalia
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Somalia, which has no statutory minimum wage, Niger mandates a wage floor of $54/mo. Average salaries are lower in Niger at $215/mo compared to $263/mo in Somalia. Niger has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 0.4% compared to 18.9%.
Niger has higher GDP per capita ($2,050 vs $1,602). Niger's unemployment rate is 0.4% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Niger | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA30,047 $53.94 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 |
| 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.
- Somalia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
No reliable standardised workweek provisions are enforced. Friday is the weekly rest day. Labour conditions vary widely between sectors — from formal NGO employment with international standards to highly exploitative informal arrangements. Somaliland and Puntland have some locally administered labour rules.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Niger mandates 40 hours while Somalia mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs Niger
Compare Niger with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Niger or Somalia?
In Niger, the minimum wage is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Niger compared to Somalia?
The average gross salary in Niger is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Niger earn approximately 22% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Niger and Somalia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Somalia 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 Somalia?
Somalia 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 Somalia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Niger has the higher GDP per capita at $2,050, which is 1.3x that of Somalia at $1,602. From Niger's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.