Key Facts: Somalia vs Macau Wages
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Macau Minimum Wage
- MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Macau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MOP$18,000 /mo ($2,233.25 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) — Macau SAR (2026-02-25)
Somalia
Macau
Updated 2026-02-25
Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Macau sets a floor of $4/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $263/mo in Somalia versus $2,233/mo in Macau, a 8.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Macau is 79.3x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $126,960). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Macau's 2.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Somalia | Macau |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | MOP$35 $4.34 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | MOP$280 $34.74 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | MOP$7,280 $903.23 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | MOP$87,360 $10,838.71 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 | MOP$18,000 /mo $2,233.25 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 | MOP$16,560 /mo $2,054.59 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | MOP$216,000 /yr $26,799.01 |
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.
- Macau
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Maximum working hours are 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Relations Law (Law No. 7/2008). Overtime is not explicitly regulated by multiplier in law but must be compensated fairly. In practice, most employers pay 1.5x for overtime. Casino workers often work in shifts. The government sector works shorter hours (typically 36 hours/week).
See this comparison from Macau's perspective: Macau vs Somalia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Macau?
In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Macau, it is MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in Somalia compared to Macau?
The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to MOP$18,000/mo ($2,233.25 USD) in Macau. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 750% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Macau is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Macau 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 Macau?
Both Somalia and Macau 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 Macau?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Macau has the higher GDP per capita at $126,960, which is 79.3x 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.