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Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Bolivia Wages

Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
Bolivia Minimum Wage
Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD)
Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
Bolivia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Bs4,200 /mo ($607.81 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), Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social; 2024 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-05-01) (2026-05-04)

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone Bolivia flag Bolivia

Updated 2026-05-04

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Minimum Wage

Le600 /mo

$25.97 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Le2,500 /mo

Bolivia flag Bolivia

Minimum Wage

Bs13.02 /hr

$1.88 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Bs4,200 /mo

Min wage: +1278% Sierra Leone vs Bolivia Avg. salary: -82% Sierra Leone vs Bolivia

The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is roughly 14 times higher than in Bolivia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in Sierra Leone versus $608/mo in Bolivia, a 5.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bolivia is 3.7x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Sierra Leone has lower GDP per capita ($3,522 vs $12,878). Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to Bolivia's 3.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Sierra Leone and Bolivia
Metric Sierra Leone Bolivia
Minimum wage /hr Bs13.02 $1.88
Minimum wage /day Bs83.33 $12.06
Minimum wage /mo Le600 $25.97 Bs2,500 $361.79
Minimum wage /yr Bs32,500 $4,703.33
Avg. gross salary /mo Le2,500 /mo $108.23 Bs4,200 /mo $607.81
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo Bs3,780 /mo $547.03
Median individual income /yr Le4,200 /yr $181.82 Bs21,600 /yr $3,125.90

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.

Bolivia

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

General Labour Law (Ley General del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 40 hours for night work, and 44 for mixed shifts. Overtime is paid at 100% surcharge (double pay). Sunday is the mandatory rest day.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Bolivia to Sierra Leone would see a 1278% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Sierra Leone mandates 40 hours while Bolivia mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Sierra Leone are $1,039 vs $90 in Bolivia.

See this comparison from Bolivia's perspective: Bolivia vs Sierra Leone

Compare Sierra Leone with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Bolivia?

In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In Bolivia, it is Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 1278% 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 Bolivia 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 Bolivia?

The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to Bs4,200/mo ($607.81 USD) in Bolivia. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 462% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Bolivia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bolivia 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 Bolivia?

Bolivia has a longer standard work week at 48 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 Bolivia?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bolivia has the higher GDP per capita at $12,878, which is 3.7x 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.