Key Facts: Somalia vs Bahamas Wages
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bahamas Minimum Wage
- B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Bahamas Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$3,500 /mo ($3,500 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), Government of The Bahamas / Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Somalia
Bahamas
Updated 2026-02-25
Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while the Bahamas sets a floor of $7/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $263/mo in Somalia versus $3,500/mo in the Bahamas, a 13.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahamas is 25.7x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $41,198). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to the Bahamas' 9.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Somalia | Bahamas |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | B$6.50 $6.50 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | B$1,126.67 $1,126.67 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | B$13,520 $13,520 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 | B$3,500 /mo $3,500 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 | B$3,150 /mo $3,150 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | B$24,000 /yr $24,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Somalia is higher.
Work Week
- Somalia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
No reliable standardised workweek provisions are enforced. Friday is the weekly rest day. Labour conditions vary widely between sectors — from formal NGO employment with international standards to highly exploitative informal arrangements. Somaliland and Puntland have some locally administered labour rules.
- Bahamas
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week or 8 per day. Work on public holidays or rest days is paid at 2x the regular rate. Governed by the Employment Act, 2001.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Somalia mandates 48 hours while the Bahamas mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Bahamas's perspective: Bahamas vs Somalia
Compare Somalia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Bahamas?
In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In the Bahamas, it is B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in Somalia compared to Bahamas?
The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to B$3,500/mo ($3,500 USD) in the Bahamas. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 1232% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Bahamas is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Bahamas earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Somalia.
How do work hours compare between Somalia and Bahamas?
Somalia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Bahamas. Workers in Somalia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Bahamas 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 Somalia and Bahamas?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bahamas has the higher GDP per capita at $41,198, which is 25.7x that of Somalia at $1,602. From Somalia'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.