Key Facts: Somalia vs Chad Wages
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Chad Minimum Wage
- FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Chad Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA180,000 /mo ($323.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et du Dialogue Social (Chad) (2026-02-25)
Somalia
Chad
Updated 2026-02-25
Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Chad sets a floor of $108/mo. Average salaries are lower in Somalia at $263/mo compared to $323/mo in Chad. GDP per capita (PPP) in Chad is 1.7x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $2,743). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Chad's 1.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Somalia | Chad |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | None | FCFA60,000 $107.72 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 | FCFA180,000 /mo $323.16 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | FCFA180,000 /yr $323.16 |
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.
- Chad
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Overtime compensated at 1.5x. These provisions apply only to a narrow formal-sector workforce.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Somalia mandates 48 hours while Chad mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Chad's perspective: Chad vs Somalia
Compare Somalia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Chad?
In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Chad, it is FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in Somalia compared to Chad?
The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to FCFA180,000/mo ($323.16 USD) in Chad. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 23% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Chad is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Chad 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 Chad?
Somalia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Chad. Workers in Somalia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Chad 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 Chad?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Chad has the higher GDP per capita at $2,743, which is 1.7x 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.