Key Facts: Timor-Leste vs Cameroon Wages
- Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
- $115/mo
- Cameroon Minimum Wage
- FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD)
- Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Cameroon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA200,000 /mo ($359.07 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale — Cameroon (2026-02-25)
Timor-Leste
Cameroon
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is roughly 252 times higher than in Cameroon in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Timor-Leste at $350/mo compared to $359/mo in Cameroon. Timor-Leste has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.6% compared to 3.6%.
Timor-Leste has lower GDP per capita ($4,423 vs $5,589). Timor-Leste's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Cameroon's 3.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Timor-Leste | Cameroon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | FCFA254 $0.46 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $115 | FCFA43,969 $78.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $1,380 | FCFA527,628 $947.27 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $350 /mo | FCFA200,000 /mo $359.07 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $330 /mo | FCFA170,000 /mo $305.21 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,500 /yr | FCFA600,000 /yr $1,077.20 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Timor-Leste is higher.
Work Week
- Timor-Leste
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 52 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Timor-Leste Labour Code sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 52 hours. Overtime is compensated at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays and Sundays is at 2x.
- Cameroon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week for non-agricultural workers and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 120% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 140% for subsequent hours. Night work and holiday work have higher multipliers.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cameroon to Timor-Leste would see a 25119% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Cameroon's perspective: Cameroon vs Timor-Leste
Compare Timor-Leste with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Timor-Leste or Cameroon?
In Timor-Leste, the minimum wage is $115/mo. In Cameroon, it is FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD). Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 25119% 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 Cameroon may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Timor-Leste compared to Cameroon?
The average gross salary in Timor-Leste is $350/mo, compared to FCFA200,000/mo ($359.07 USD) in Cameroon. In USD terms, workers in Timor-Leste earn approximately 3% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Timor-Leste and Cameroon is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Cameroon earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Timor-Leste.
How do work hours compare between Timor-Leste and Cameroon?
Both Timor-Leste and Cameroon 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 Timor-Leste and Cameroon?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Cameroon has the higher GDP per capita at $5,589, which is 1.3x that of Timor-Leste at $4,423. From Timor-Leste'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.