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Key Facts: Somalia vs Myanmar Wages

Somalia Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Myanmar Minimum Wage
K975/hr ($0.46 USD)
Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
Myanmar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
K450,000 /mo ($214.29 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), National Committee for Setting up the Minimum Wage — Myanmar (2026-02-25)

Somalia flag Somalia Myanmar flag Myanmar

Updated 2026-02-25

Somalia flag Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Myanmar flag Myanmar

Minimum Wage

K975 /hr

$0.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

K450,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +23% Somalia vs Myanmar

Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Myanmar sets a floor of $0/hr. Average salaries are higher in Somalia at $263/mo compared to $214/mo in Myanmar. GDP per capita (PPP) in Myanmar is 3.7x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $5,997). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Myanmar's 3.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Somalia and Myanmar
Metric Somalia Myanmar
Minimum wage /hr None K975 $0.46
Minimum wage /day None K7,800 $3.71
Minimum wage /mo None K202,800 $96.57
Minimum wage /yr None K2,433,600 $1,158.86
Avg. gross salary /mo Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 K450,000 /mo $214.29
Avg. net salary /mo Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 K400,000 /mo $190.48
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr K1,800,000 /yr $857.14

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.

Myanmar

44 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

Factories Act sets normal working hours at 44 hours per week for factories. Shops and Establishments Law allows up to 48 hours. Overtime is paid at double the normal rate.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Somalia mandates 48 hours while Myanmar mandates 44 hours.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Myanmar?

In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Myanmar, it is K975/hr ($0.46 USD).

How much more does the average worker earn in Somalia compared to Myanmar?

The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to K450,000/mo ($214.29 USD) in Myanmar. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 23% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Myanmar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Somalia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Myanmar.

How do work hours compare between Somalia and Myanmar?

Somalia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Myanmar. Workers in Somalia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Myanmar 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 Myanmar?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Myanmar has the higher GDP per capita at $5,997, which is 3.7x 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.