Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Angola Wages
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Angola Minimum Wage
- Kz167.60/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Angola Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Kz150,000 /mo ($162.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- 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), Angolan Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security (MAPTSS) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Sierra Leone
Angola
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is roughly 143 times higher than in Angola in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Sierra Leone at $108/mo compared to $162/mo in Angola. GDP per capita (PPP) in Angola is 2.9x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Sierra Leone has lower GDP per capita ($3,522 vs $10,119). Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to Angola's 14.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sierra Leone | Angola |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Kz167.60 $0.18 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Kz1,342 $1.45 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Le600 $25.97 | Kz32,181 $34.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Kz386,172 $417.48 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 | Kz150,000 /mo $162.16 |
| Median individual income /yr | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 | Kz432,000 /yr $467.03 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Sierra Leone is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- Angola
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
General Labour Law (Lei Geral do Trabalho) sets standard hours at 44/week (8 hrs/day over 5.5 days). Maximum total (including overtime) is 54 hours/week. Overtime hours 1–2 are compensated at 150%; hours beyond 2 at 175%; Sunday/holiday at 200%. Night work (9pm–6am) carries a 25% premium. Workers receive a mandatory 13th-month salary bonus annually.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Angola to Sierra Leone would see a 14235% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Sierra Leone mandates 40 hours while Angola mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Sierra Leone are $1,039 vs $8 in Angola.
See this comparison from Angola's perspective: Angola vs Sierra Leone
Compare Sierra Leone with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Angola?
In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In Angola, it is Kz167.60/hr ($0.18 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 14235% 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 Angola may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Sierra Leone compared to Angola?
The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to Kz150,000/mo ($162.16 USD) in Angola. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 50% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Angola is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Angola earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Sierra Leone and Angola?
Angola has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sierra Leone. Workers in Sierra Leone work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone and Angola?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Angola has the higher GDP per capita at $10,119, which is 2.9x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Sierra Leone'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.