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Key Facts: Uganda vs Norway Wages

Uganda Minimum Wage
UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
Norway Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)

Uganda flag Uganda Norway flag Norway

Updated 2026-05-28

Uganda flag Uganda

Minimum Wage

UGX750 /hr

$0.21 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

UGX1,500,000 /mo

Norway flag Norway

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr55,150 /mo

Avg. salary: -93% Uganda vs Norway

Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Uganda mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $424/mo in Uganda versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 14.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 31.2x that of Uganda, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Uganda has lower GDP per capita ($3,273 vs $102,038). Uganda's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Norway's 4.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Uganda and Norway
Metric Uganda Norway
Minimum wage /hr UGX750 $0.21 None
Minimum wage /mo UGX130,000 $36.78 None
Minimum wage /yr UGX1,560,000 $441.30 None
Avg. gross salary /mo UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34
Avg. net salary /mo UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80
Median individual income /yr UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49

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.

Norway

37.5 hrs/wk standard

Max 40 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.4x pay

The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Uganda mandates 48 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.

See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Uganda

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Uganda or Norway?

In Uganda, the minimum wage is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much less does the average worker earn in Uganda compared to Norway?

The average gross salary in Uganda is UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Uganda earn approximately 1303% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uganda and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Uganda.

How do work hours compare between Uganda and Norway?

Uganda has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Uganda work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Uganda and Norway?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 31.2x 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.