Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Malta Wages
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Malta Minimum Wage
- €5.74/hr ($6.68 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Malta Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,100 /mo ($2,445.56 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), Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER); 2026 rate per DIER Resource Pack (dier.gov.mt) (2026-05-27)
Sierra Leone
Malta
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is 289% higher than in Malta when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in Sierra Leone versus $2,446/mo in Malta, a 22.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Malta is 19.8x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Sierra Leone has lower GDP per capita ($3,522 vs $69,864). Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to Malta's 2.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sierra Leone | Malta |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | €5.74 $6.68 |
| Minimum wage /wk | — | €229.44 $267.19 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Le600 $25.97 | €994.24 $1,157.84 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | €11,930.88 $13,894.12 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 | €2,100 /mo $2,445.56 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €1,750 /mo $2,037.96 |
| Median individual income /yr | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 | €17,000 /yr $19,797.37 |
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.
- Malta
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Maximum 48 hours/week averaged over a 17-week reference period. Overtime premium is at least 50% for weekdays and 100% for Sundays and public holidays.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Malta to Sierra Leone would see a 289% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Malta's perspective: Malta vs Sierra Leone
Compare Sierra Leone with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Malta?
In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In Malta, it is €5.74/hr ($6.68 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 289% 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 Malta 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 Malta?
The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to €2,100/mo ($2,445.56 USD) in Malta. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 2160% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Malta is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Malta 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 Malta?
Both Sierra Leone and Malta 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 Sierra Leone and Malta?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Malta has the higher GDP per capita at $69,864, which is 19.8x 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.