Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Venezuela Wages
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 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), Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04)
Sierra Leone 
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is roughly 1394 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in Sierra Leone versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 7.9:1 ratio. Sierra Leone has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.1% compared to 5.3%.
Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sierra Leone | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Le600 $25.97 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Median individual income /yr | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Venezuela to Sierra Leone would see a 139319% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs Sierra Leone
Compare Sierra Leone with...
Sierra Leone vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Sierra Leone vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Sierra Leone vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Switzerland 
Sierra Leone vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Sierra Leone vs Sweden 
Sierra Leone vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Sierra Leone vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Venezuela?
In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 139319% 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 Venezuela may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Sierra Leone compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 690% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Sierra Leone earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Sierra Leone and Venezuela?
Both Sierra Leone and Venezuela 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.