Key Facts: Venezuela vs Sierra Leone Wages
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)
Venezuela
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Venezuela is roughly 1394 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $14/mo in Venezuela versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 7.9:1 ratio. Sierra Leone has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.1% compared to 5.3%.
Venezuela's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Venezuela | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bs.D130 $3.56 | Le600 $25.97 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Venezuela is higher.
Work Week
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Venezuela earns 139319% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Venezuela
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Venezuela or Sierra Leone?
In Venezuela, the minimum wage is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 139319% 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 Venezuela may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Venezuela compared to Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in Venezuela is Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Venezuela earn approximately 690% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Venezuela and Sierra Leone is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Sierra Leone earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Venezuela and Sierra Leone?
Both Venezuela and Sierra Leone 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.