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Key Facts: Somalia vs Mozambique Wages

Somalia Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Mozambique Minimum Wage
MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25)

Somalia flag Somalia Mozambique flag Mozambique

Updated 2026-02-25

Somalia flag Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Mozambique flag Mozambique

Minimum Wage

MT38.60 /hr

$0.60 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MT18,000 /mo

Avg. salary: -7% Somalia vs Mozambique

Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Mozambique sets a floor of $1/hr. Average salaries are lower in Somalia at $263/mo compared to $282/mo in Mozambique. Mozambique has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 6.6% compared to 18.9%.

Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $1,705). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Mozambique's 6.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Somalia and Mozambique
Metric Somalia Mozambique
Minimum wage /hr None MT38.60 $0.60
Minimum wage /mo None MT6,688 $104.75
Minimum wage /yr None MT80,256 $1,256.95
Avg. gross salary /mo Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 MT18,000 /mo $281.91
Avg. net salary /mo Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 MT15,500 /mo $242.76
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr MT60,000 /yr $939.70

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.

Mozambique

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week and 8 hours per day. Overtime is limited to 96 hours per quarter and 200 hours per year. Overtime compensated at 150% for regular days and 200% for holidays and rest days.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Mozambique?

In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Mozambique, it is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD).

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

The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD) in Mozambique. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 7% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Mozambique is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mozambique 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 Mozambique?

Both Somalia and Mozambique 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 Mozambique?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mozambique has the higher GDP per capita at $1,705, which is 1.1x 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.