Key Facts: Somalia vs Nepal Wages
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Nepal Minimum Wage
- Rs112.81/hr ($0.83 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Nepal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Rs32,000 /mo ($234.43 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff July 2025) (2026-05-04)
Somalia
Nepal
Updated 2026-05-04
Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Nepal sets a floor of $1/hr. Average salaries are higher in Somalia at $263/mo compared to $234/mo in Nepal. GDP per capita (PPP) in Nepal is 3.6x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $5,737). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Nepal's 10.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Somalia | Nepal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | Rs112.81 $0.83 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | Rs651.67 $4.77 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | Rs19,550 $143.22 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | Rs234,600 $1,718.68 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 | Rs32,000 /mo $234.43 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 | Rs29,500 /mo $216.12 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Rs180,000 /yr $1,318.68 |
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.
- Nepal
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2017 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 150% of normal rate, limited to 4 hours/day and 24 hours/week. Weekly rest of at least one day (Saturday is the traditional rest day). Tea estate and some other sector workers may have different arrangements under sectoral orders.
See this comparison from Nepal's perspective: Nepal vs Somalia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Nepal?
In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Nepal, it is Rs112.81/hr ($0.83 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Somalia compared to Nepal?
The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to Rs32,000/mo ($234.43 USD) in Nepal. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 12% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Nepal 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 Nepal.
How do work hours compare between Somalia and Nepal?
Both Somalia and Nepal 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 Nepal?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Nepal has the higher GDP per capita at $5,737, which is 3.6x 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.