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Key Facts: Somalia vs Jordan Wages

Somalia Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Jordan Minimum Wage
JD1.67/hr ($2.36 USD)
Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
Jordan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
JD613 /mo ($864.60 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour — Jordan (2026-02-25)

Somalia flag Somalia Jordan flag Jordan

Updated 2026-02-25

Somalia flag Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Jordan flag Jordan

Minimum Wage

JD1.67 /hr

$2.36 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

JD613 /mo

Avg. salary: -70% Somalia vs Jordan

Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Jordan sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $263/mo in Somalia versus $865/mo in Jordan, a 3.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Jordan is 6.8x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $10,821). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Jordan's 16.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Somalia and Jordan
Metric Somalia Jordan
Minimum wage /hr None JD1.67 $2.36
Minimum wage /mo None JD290 $409.03
Minimum wage /yr None JD3,480 $4,908.32
Avg. gross salary /mo Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 JD613 /mo $864.60
Avg. net salary /mo Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 JD525 /mo $740.48
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr JD4,320 /yr $6,093.09

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.

Jordan

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Code sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime work must not exceed 4 hours per day and is compensated at 125% of normal wage. Friday is the normal rest day. Overtime on Fridays and public holidays is paid at 150%.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Jordan?

In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Jordan, it is JD1.67/hr ($2.36 USD).

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

The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to JD613/mo ($864.60 USD) in Jordan. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 229% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Jordan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Jordan 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 Jordan?

Both Somalia and Jordan 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 Jordan?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Jordan has the higher GDP per capita at $10,821, which is 6.8x 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.