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Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Ukraine Wages

Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
Ukraine Minimum Wage
₴48/hr ($1.15 USD)
Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
Ukraine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
₴20,000 /mo ($478.47 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), Ministry of Economy of Ukraine / State Statistics Service (2026-02-24)

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone Ukraine flag Ukraine

Updated 2026-05-04

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Minimum Wage

Le600 /mo

$25.97 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Le2,500 /mo

Ukraine flag Ukraine

Minimum Wage

₴48 /hr

$1.15 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₴20,000 /mo

Min wage: +2162% Sierra Leone vs Ukraine Avg. salary: -77% Sierra Leone vs Ukraine

The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is roughly 23 times higher than in Ukraine 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 $478/mo in Ukraine, a 4.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Ukraine is 5.3x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Sierra Leone has lower GDP per capita ($3,522 vs $18,550). Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to Ukraine's 9.8%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Sierra Leone and Ukraine
Metric Sierra Leone Ukraine
Minimum wage /hr ₴48 $1.15
Minimum wage /day ₴266.67 $6.38
Minimum wage /mo Le600 $25.97 ₴8,000 $191.39
Minimum wage /yr ₴96,000 $2,296.65
Avg. gross salary /mo Le2,500 /mo $108.23 ₴20,000 /mo $478.47
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo ₴16,400 /mo $392.34
Median individual income /yr Le4,200 /yr $181.82 ₴120,000 /yr $2,870.81

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.

Ukraine

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 40 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

Labour Code sets standard working time at 40 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at double the normal rate and limited to 4 hours over 2 consecutive days, 120 hours/year. Under martial law (from Feb 2022), employers may increase working hours to 60/week and suspend certain labour protections with government approval.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Ukraine to Sierra Leone would see a 2162% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Ukraine?

In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In Ukraine, it is ₴48/hr ($1.15 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 2162% 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 Ukraine 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 Ukraine?

The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to ₴20,000/mo ($478.47 USD) in Ukraine. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 342% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Ukraine is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ukraine 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 Ukraine?

Both Sierra Leone and Ukraine 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 Ukraine?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Ukraine has the higher GDP per capita at $18,550, which is 5.3x 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.