Key Facts: Somalia vs Paraguay Wages
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Paraguay Minimum Wage
- ₲14,574/hr ($1.94 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Paraguay Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₲4,500,000 /mo ($598.40 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social (MTESS); 2024 figure corrected via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-07-01) (2026-05-04)
Somalia
Paraguay
Updated 2026-05-04
Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Paraguay sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $263/mo in Somalia versus $598/mo in Paraguay, a 2.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Paraguay is 11.6x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $18,524). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Paraguay's 4.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Somalia | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | ₲14,574 $1.94 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | ₲93,277 $12.40 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | ₲2,798,309 $372.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | ₲33,579,708 $4,465.39 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 | ₲4,500,000 /mo $598.40 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 | ₲4,050,000 /mo $538.56 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₲26,400,000 /yr $3,510.64 |
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.
- Paraguay
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Código del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 42 hours for night work, and 45 for mixed shifts. Overtime: 50% surcharge for daytime, 100% for night/holiday overtime. Weekly rest on Sunday is mandatory.
See this comparison from Paraguay's perspective: Paraguay vs Somalia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Paraguay?
In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Paraguay, it is ₲14,574/hr ($1.94 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in Somalia compared to Paraguay?
The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to ₲4,500,000/mo ($598.40 USD) in Paraguay. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 128% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Paraguay is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Paraguay 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 Paraguay?
Both Somalia and Paraguay 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 Paraguay?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Paraguay has the higher GDP per capita at $18,524, which is 11.6x 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.