Key Facts: Palestine vs Libya Wages
- Palestine Minimum Wage
- ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Palestine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪3,200 /mo ($1,136.57 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Palestine
Libya
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Palestine is roughly 7 times higher than in Libya in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,137/mo in Palestine versus $370/mo in Libya, a 3.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Libya is 3.3x that of Palestine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Palestine's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Palestine's minimum wage buys more than Libya's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Palestine is $3,186 international dollars, compared to $203 in Libya. Palestine has lower GDP per capita ($4,371 vs $14,304). Palestine's unemployment rate is 24.4% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Palestine | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | ₪86 $30.55 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₪1,880 $667.73 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₪3,200 /mo $1,136.57 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Palestine is higher.
Work Week
- Palestine
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Palestinian Labour Law sets 45 hours/week maximum ordinary time (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime payable at 1.25x. Friday is the weekly rest day. Workers employed in Israel work under Israeli labour law (which has different provisions). The conflict beginning October 2023 has fundamentally disrupted normal labour conditions across the territory.
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Libya to Palestine would see a 621% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Palestine mandates 45 hours while Libya mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Palestine are $30,048 vs $4,444 in Libya.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Palestine
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Palestine or Libya?
In Palestine, the minimum wage is ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Palestine has the higher rate by 621% 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 Libya may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Palestine compared to Libya?
The average gross salary in Palestine is ₪3,200/mo ($1,136.57 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Palestine earn approximately 207% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Palestine and Libya is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Palestine earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Libya.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Palestine or Libya?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Palestine can afford more than those in Libya. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3,186 in Palestine and $203 in Libya. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 1472% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Libya appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Palestine and Libya?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Palestine. Workers in Palestine work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Palestine 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 Palestine and Libya?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Libya has the higher GDP per capita at $14,304, which is 3.3x that of Palestine at $4,371. From Palestine'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.