Key Facts: Serbia vs Sierra Leone Wages
- Serbia Minimum Wage
- RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD)
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Serbia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RSD110,000 /mo ($1,023.26 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (2026-02-24), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Serbia is roughly 10 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,023/mo in Serbia versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 9.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Serbia is 9.3x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Serbia has higher GDP per capita ($32,832 vs $3,522). Serbia's unemployment rate is 7.1% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Serbia | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RSD271 $2.52 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | RSD2,168 $20.17 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | RSD47,000 $437.21 | Le600 $25.97 |
| Minimum wage /yr | RSD564,000 $5,246.51 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RSD110,000 /mo $1,023.26 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RSD80,000 /mo $744.19 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | RSD600,000 /yr $5,581.40 | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Serbia is higher.
Work Week
- Serbia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.26x pay
Labour Law sets full-time working hours at 40/week. Overtime: minimum 26% surcharge. Night work (22:00-06:00): minimum 26% surcharge. Holiday work: minimum 110% surcharge. Maximum overtime is 8 hours/week. Reduced working hours (36 or fewer) for hazardous occupations.
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Serbia earns 930% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Serbia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Serbia or Sierra Leone?
In Serbia, the minimum wage is RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 930% 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 Serbia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Serbia compared to Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in Serbia is RSD110,000/mo ($1,023.26 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Serbia earn approximately 845% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Serbia and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Serbia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Serbia and Sierra Leone?
Both Serbia and Sierra Leone mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Serbia and Sierra Leone?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Serbia has the higher GDP per capita at $32,832, which is 9.3x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Serbia'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.