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Key Facts: Somalia vs Bolivia Wages

Somalia Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Bolivia Minimum Wage
Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD)
Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
Bolivia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Bs4,200 /mo ($607.81 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), 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)

Somalia flag Somalia Bolivia flag Bolivia

Updated 2026-05-04

Somalia flag Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Bolivia flag Bolivia

Minimum Wage

Bs13.02 /hr

$1.88 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Bs4,200 /mo

Avg. salary: -57% Somalia vs Bolivia

Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Bolivia sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $263/mo in Somalia versus $608/mo in Bolivia, a 2.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bolivia is 8.0x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $12,878). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Bolivia's 3.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Somalia and Bolivia
Metric Somalia Bolivia
Minimum wage /hr None Bs13.02 $1.88
Minimum wage /day None Bs83.33 $12.06
Minimum wage /mo None Bs2,500 $361.79
Minimum wage /yr None Bs32,500 $4,703.33
Avg. gross salary /mo Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 Bs4,200 /mo $607.81
Avg. net salary /mo Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 Bs3,780 /mo $547.03
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr Bs21,600 /yr $3,125.90

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.

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.

See this comparison from Bolivia's perspective: Bolivia vs Somalia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Bolivia?

In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Bolivia, it is Bs13.02/hr ($1.88 USD).

How much less does the average worker earn in Somalia compared to Bolivia?

The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to Bs4,200/mo ($607.81 USD) in Bolivia. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 131% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia 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 Somalia.

How do work hours compare between Somalia and Bolivia?

Both Somalia and Bolivia mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Somalia 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 8.0x 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.