Key Facts: Turkmenistan vs Kenya Wages
- Turkmenistan Minimum Wage
- T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD)
- Kenya Minimum Wage
- KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD)
- Turkmenistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- T2,500 /mo ($714.29 USD)
- Kenya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KSh50,000 /mo ($325.73 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Turkmenistan government sources (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection; Legal Notice No. 164 of 2024 (eff 2024-11-01) per labour.go.ke gazette PDF (2026-05-27)
Turkmenistan
Kenya
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Turkmenistan is roughly 547 times higher than in Kenya in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $714/mo in Turkmenistan versus $326/mo in Kenya, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Turkmenistan is 3.2x that of Kenya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Turkmenistan has higher GDP per capita ($21,213 vs $6,644). Turkmenistan's unemployment rate is 4.3% compared to Kenya's 5.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkmenistan | Kenya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | KSh93 $0.61 |
| Minimum wage /mo | T1,160 $331.43 | KSh16,113.75 $104.98 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | T2,500 /mo $714.29 | KSh50,000 /mo $325.73 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | KSh38,500 /mo $250.81 |
| Median individual income /yr | T30,000 /yr $8,571.43 | KSh180,000 /yr $1,172.64 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Turkmenistan is higher.
Work Week
- Turkmenistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Saturday and Sunday are rest days. State-sector employees work standard government hours. The gas industry may have different shift arrangements.
- Kenya
-
52 hrs/wk standard
Max 52 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act sets maximum normal working hours at 52 per week. Most formal sector employees work 40-45 hours by contract. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Work on rest days paid at 2x. Public holidays at 2x.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Kenya to Turkmenistan would see a 54604% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Turkmenistan mandates 40 hours while Kenya mandates 52 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Turkmenistan are $13,257 vs $32 in Kenya.
See this comparison from Kenya's perspective: Kenya vs Turkmenistan
Compare Turkmenistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkmenistan or Kenya?
In Turkmenistan, the minimum wage is T1,160/mo ($331.43 USD). In Kenya, it is KSh93/hr ($0.61 USD). Turkmenistan has the higher rate by 54604% 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 Kenya may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Turkmenistan compared to Kenya?
The average gross salary in Turkmenistan is T2,500/mo ($714.29 USD), compared to KSh50,000/mo ($325.73 USD) in Kenya. In USD terms, workers in Turkmenistan earn approximately 119% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkmenistan and Kenya is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkmenistan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Kenya.
How do work hours compare between Turkmenistan and Kenya?
Kenya has a longer standard work week at 52 hours, compared to 40 hours in Turkmenistan. Workers in Turkmenistan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Turkmenistan working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Turkmenistan and Kenya?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Turkmenistan has the higher GDP per capita at $21,213, which is 3.2x that of Kenya at $6,644. From Turkmenistan'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.