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Key Facts: Somalia vs Kyrgyzstan Wages

Somalia Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Kyrgyzstan Minimum Wage
сом17.16/hr ($0.20 USD)
Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
Kyrgyzstan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
сом37,361 /mo ($427.28 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic / National Statistical Committee (2026-02-25)

Somalia flag Somalia Kyrgyzstan flag Kyrgyzstan

Updated 2026-02-25

Somalia flag Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Kyrgyzstan flag Kyrgyzstan

Minimum Wage

сом17.16 /hr

$0.20 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

сом37,361 /mo

Avg. salary: -39% Somalia vs Kyrgyzstan

Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Kyrgyzstan sets a floor of $0/hr. Average salaries are lower in Somalia at $263/mo compared to $427/mo in Kyrgyzstan. GDP per capita (PPP) in Kyrgyzstan is 5.0x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $8,012). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Kyrgyzstan's 3.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Somalia and Kyrgyzstan
Metric Somalia Kyrgyzstan
Minimum wage /hr None сом17.16 $0.20
Minimum wage /mo None сом2,863 $32.74
Minimum wage /yr None сом34,356 $392.91
Avg. gross salary /mo Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 сом37,361 /mo $427.28
Avg. net salary /mo Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 сом33,625 /mo $384.55
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr сом180,000 /yr $2,058.55

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.

Kyrgyzstan

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 40 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Reduced hours (36 hrs) for workers aged 16-18 and hazardous conditions. Overtime limited to 120 hours per year. Overtime premium at least 50%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%. Holiday work at double rate.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Somalia mandates 48 hours while Kyrgyzstan mandates 40 hours.

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

Compare Somalia with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Kyrgyzstan?

In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Kyrgyzstan, it is сом17.16/hr ($0.20 USD).

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

The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to сом37,361/mo ($427.28 USD) in Kyrgyzstan. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 63% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Kyrgyzstan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kyrgyzstan 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 Kyrgyzstan?

Somalia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Kyrgyzstan. Workers in Somalia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Kyrgyzstan 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 Kyrgyzstan?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Kyrgyzstan has the higher GDP per capita at $8,012, which is 5.0x 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.