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Key Facts: Thailand vs Somalia Wages

Thailand Minimum Wage
฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD)
Somalia Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Thailand Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
฿15,700 /mo ($482.26 USD)
Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour / National Wage Committee (2026-05-27), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25)

Thailand flag Thailand Somalia flag Somalia

Updated 2026-05-27

Thailand flag Thailand

Minimum Wage

฿10,400 /mo

$319.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

฿15,700 /mo

Somalia flag Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +84% Thailand vs Somalia

Unlike Somalia, which has no statutory minimum wage, Thailand mandates a wage floor of $319/mo. Average salaries are higher in Thailand at $482/mo compared to $263/mo in Somalia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Thailand is 15.4x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Thailand has higher GDP per capita ($24,712 vs $1,602). Thailand's unemployment rate is 0.8% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Thailand and Somalia
Metric Thailand Somalia
Minimum wage /day ฿400 $12.29 None
Minimum wage /mo ฿10,400 $319.46 None
Minimum wage /yr ฿124,800 $3,833.51 None
Avg. gross salary /mo ฿15,700 /mo $482.26 Sh150,000 /mo $262.70
Avg. net salary /mo ฿14,915 /mo $458.15 Sh140,000 /mo $245.18

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

Work Week

Thailand

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Protection Act sets maximum 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week for general work (42 hours for hazardous work). Overtime at 1.5x base rate. Holiday work at 1x additional. Holiday overtime at 3x. Employees cannot be forced to work more than 36 overtime hours per 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.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Thailand or Somalia?

In Thailand, the minimum wage is ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD). In Somalia, it is no statutory minimum wage.

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

The average gross salary in Thailand is ฿15,700/mo ($482.26 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in Thailand earn approximately 84% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Thailand and Somalia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Thailand earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Somalia.

How do work hours compare between Thailand and Somalia?

Both Thailand and Somalia 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 Thailand and Somalia?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Thailand has the higher GDP per capita at $24,712, which is 15.4x that of Somalia at $1,602. From Thailand'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.