Key Facts: Somalia vs Qatar Wages
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Qatar Minimum Wage
- QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
- Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24)
Somalia
Qatar
Updated 2026-02-25
Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Qatar sets a floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $263/mo in Somalia versus $3,221/mo in Qatar, a 12.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 78.7x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $126,046). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Qatar's 0.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Somalia | Qatar |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | QAR5.21 $1.43 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | QAR1,000 $274.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | QAR12,000 $3,296.70 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 |
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.
- Qatar
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium: 25% of basic wage. Work between 9pm and 6am attracts a 50% premium. Government sector typically works 35-40 hours/week.
See this comparison from Qatar's perspective: Qatar vs Somalia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Qatar?
In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Qatar, it is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD).
How much less does the average worker earn in Somalia compared to Qatar?
The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD) in Qatar. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 1126% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia and Qatar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Qatar 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 Qatar?
Both Somalia and Qatar 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 Qatar?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Qatar has the higher GDP per capita at $126,046, which is 78.7x 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.