Key Facts: Uganda vs Libya Wages
- Uganda Minimum Wage
- UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Uganda
Libya
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Uganda is roughly 436 times lower than in Libya in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Uganda at $424/mo compared to $370/mo in Libya. GDP per capita (PPP) in Libya is 4.4x that of Uganda, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Uganda has lower GDP per capita ($3,273 vs $14,304). Uganda's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uganda | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | UGX750 $0.21 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | UGX130,000 $36.78 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | UGX1,560,000 $441.30 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Uganda is higher.
Work Week
- Uganda
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Uganda earns 43542% less per hour in USD terms than one in Libya.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Uganda
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uganda or Libya?
In Uganda, the minimum wage is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 43542% 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 Uganda may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Uganda compared to Libya?
The average gross salary in Uganda is UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Uganda earn approximately 15% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uganda and Libya is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uganda earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Libya.
How do work hours compare between Uganda and Libya?
Both Uganda and Libya 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 Uganda and Libya?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Libya has the higher GDP per capita at $14,304, which is 4.4x that of Uganda at $3,273. From Uganda'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.