Peru Namibia

Updated 2026-05-27

Peru

Minimum Wage

S/5.89 /hr

$1.60 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

S/2,200 /mo

Namibia

Minimum Wage

N$18 /hr

$1.13 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

N$13,500 /mo

Min wage: +42% Peru vs Namibia Avg. salary: -29% Peru vs Namibia

Both upper-middle-income economies, Peru and Namibia set comparable minimum wage floors in USD terms. Average salaries are lower in Peru at $598/mo compared to $845/mo in Namibia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Peru is 1.5x that of Namibia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

From Peru's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Peru's minimum wage buys more than Namibia's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Peru is $3 international dollars, compared to $3 in Namibia. Peru has higher GDP per capita ($17,802 vs $11,687). Peru's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Namibia's 19.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Peru and Namibia
Metric	Peru	Namibia	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	S/5.89 $1.60	N$18 $1.13	+42.0%
Minimum wage /mo	S/1,130 $307.07	N$3,510 $219.79	+39.7%
Minimum wage /yr	S/15,820 $4,298.91	N$42,120 $2,637.45	+63.0%
Avg. gross salary /mo	S/2,200 /mo $597.83	N$13,500 /mo $845.34	-29.3%
Avg. net salary /mo	S/1,870 /mo $508.15	N$11,000 /mo $688.79	-26.2%
Median individual income /yr	S/15,600 /yr $4,239.13	N$48,000 /yr $3,005.64	+41.0%

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Peru is higher.

Work Week

Peru: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Constitution sets maximum at 48 hours/week, 8 hours/day (or 6 days at 8 hrs). Office workers commonly work 40-45 hrs. Overtime: first 2 hours at 125%, subsequent hours at 135%. Night shift (10pm-6am) receives a 35% surcharge.
Namibia: 45 hrs/wk standard

Max 45 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Act sets maximum ordinary hours at 45 per week (9 hrs/day for 5-day week, 8 hrs/day for 6-day week). Overtime limited to 10 hours/week and 3 hours/day. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Rest days at 2x. Daily rest period of at least 12 consecutive hours. Weekly rest of at least 36 consecutive hours (ideally including Sunday). Annual leave: 20 working days for 5-day week.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Namibia to Peru would see a 42% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Peru mandates 48 hours while Namibia mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Peru are $77 vs $51 in Namibia.

See this comparison from Namibia's perspective: Namibia vs Peru

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Peru or Namibia?

In Peru, the minimum wage is S/5.89/hr ($1.60 USD). In Namibia, it is N$18/hr ($1.13 USD). Peru has the higher rate by 42% 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 Namibia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Peru compared to Namibia?

The average gross salary in Peru is S/2,200/mo ($597.83 USD), compared to N$13,500/mo ($845.34 USD) in Namibia. In USD terms, workers in Peru earn approximately 41% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Peru and Namibia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Namibia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Peru.

Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Peru or Namibia?

After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Peru can afford more than those in Namibia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3 in Peru and $3 in Namibia. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 27% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Namibia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.

How do work hours compare between Peru and Namibia?

Peru has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Namibia. Workers in Peru work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Namibia 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 Peru and Namibia?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Peru has the higher GDP per capita at $17,802, which is 1.5x that of Namibia at $11,687. From Peru'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.