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Key Facts: Somalia vs Fiji Wages

Somalia Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Fiji Minimum Wage
FJ$5/hr ($2.25 USD)
Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
Fiji Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
FJ$2,500 /mo ($1,126.13 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), Fiji Government / Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations (2026-02-25)

Somalia flag Somalia Fiji flag Fiji

Updated 2026-02-25

Somalia flag Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Fiji flag Fiji

Minimum Wage

FJ$5 /hr

$2.25 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FJ$2,500 /mo

Avg. salary: -77% Somalia vs Fiji

Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Fiji sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $263/mo in Somalia versus $1,126/mo in Fiji, a 4.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Fiji is 9.6x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $15,450). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Fiji's 5.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Somalia and Fiji
Metric Somalia Fiji
Minimum wage /hr None FJ$5 $2.25
Minimum wage /mo None FJ$960 $432.43
Minimum wage /yr None FJ$11,520 $5,189.19
Avg. gross salary /mo Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 FJ$2,500 /mo $1,126.13
Avg. net salary /mo Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 FJ$2,100 /mo $945.95
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr FJ$14,400 /yr $6,486.49

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.

Fiji

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Statutory maximum of 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days) under the Employment Relations Act 2007. Many office-based employers adopt a 40-hour week (8 hours/day, Monday-Friday) by policy or collective agreement. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays at 2x.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Fiji?

In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Fiji, it is FJ$5/hr ($2.25 USD).

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

The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to FJ$2,500/mo ($1,126.13 USD) in Fiji. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 329% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Fiji is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Fiji 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 Fiji?

Both Somalia and Fiji 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 Fiji?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Fiji has the higher GDP per capita at $15,450, which is 9.6x 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.