Key Facts: Serbia vs Somalia Wages
- Serbia Minimum Wage
- RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD)
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Serbia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RSD110,000 /mo ($1,023.26 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25)
Serbia
Somalia
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Somalia, which has no statutory minimum wage, Serbia mandates a wage floor of $3/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,023/mo in Serbia versus $263/mo in Somalia, a 3.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Serbia is 20.5x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Serbia has higher GDP per capita ($32,832 vs $1,602). Serbia's unemployment rate is 7.1% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Serbia | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RSD271 $2.52 | None |
| Minimum wage /day | RSD2,168 $20.17 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | RSD47,000 $437.21 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | RSD564,000 $5,246.51 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RSD110,000 /mo $1,023.26 | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RSD80,000 /mo $744.19 | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 |
| Median individual income /yr | RSD600,000 /yr $5,581.40 | N/A/yr |
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.
- 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: Serbia mandates 40 hours while Somalia mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs Serbia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Serbia or Somalia?
In Serbia, the minimum wage is RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Serbia compared to Somalia?
The average gross salary in Serbia is RSD110,000/mo ($1,023.26 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Serbia earn approximately 290% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Serbia and Somalia 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 Somalia.
How do work hours compare between Serbia and Somalia?
Somalia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Serbia. Workers in Serbia work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Serbia 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 Serbia and Somalia?
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 20.5x that of Somalia at $1,602. 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.