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Key Facts: Spain vs Sierra Leone Wages

Spain Minimum Wage
€7.96/hr ($9.27 USD)
Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
Spain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
€2,450 /mo ($2,853.15 USD)
Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
Data Sources
Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social (2026-03-02), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)

Spain flag Spain Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Updated 2026-05-04

Spain flag Spain

Minimum Wage

€7.96 /hr

$9.27 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

€2,450 /mo

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Minimum Wage

Le600 /mo

$25.97 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Le2,500 /mo

Min wage: -64% Spain vs Sierra Leone Avg. salary: +2536% Spain vs Sierra Leone

The minimum wage in Spain is 64% lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,853/mo in Spain versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 26.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Spain is 16.5x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Spain has higher GDP per capita ($57,965 vs $3,522). Spain's unemployment rate is 10.4% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Spain and Sierra Leone
Metric Spain Sierra Leone
Minimum wage /hr €7.96 $9.27
Minimum wage /mo €1,221 $1,421.92 Le600 $25.97
Minimum wage /yr €17,094 $19,906.84
Avg. gross salary /mo €2,450 /mo $2,853.15 Le2,500 /mo $108.23
Avg. net salary /mo €1,900 /mo $2,212.65 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr €22,000 /yr $25,620.12 Le4,200 /yr $181.82

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Spain is higher.

Work Week

Spain

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Standard workweek is 40 hours (Workers' Statute, Article 34). Maximum 80 hours of overtime per year. Overtime compensation is set by collective agreement or individual contract, with a minimum of regular hourly rate or equivalent time off. EU Working Time Directive caps average weekly hours at 48.

Sierra Leone

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Spain earns 180% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone.

See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Spain

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Spain or Sierra Leone?

In Spain, the minimum wage is €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 180% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Spain may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Spain compared to Sierra Leone?

The average gross salary in Spain is €2,450/mo ($2,853.15 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Spain earn approximately 2536% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Spain and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Spain earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.

How do work hours compare between Spain and Sierra Leone?

Both Spain and Sierra Leone mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Spain and Sierra Leone?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Spain has the higher GDP per capita at $57,965, which is 16.5x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Spain's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.