Key Facts: Zambia vs Venezuela Wages
- Zambia Minimum Wage
- ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Zambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ZK7,000 /mo ($369.20 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security / Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act (2026-02-25), 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)
Zambia 
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Zambia is roughly 18 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $369/mo in Zambia versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 27.0:1 ratio.
Zambia's unemployment rate is 5.9% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Zambia | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ZK6.25 $0.33 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ZK1,300 $68.57 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ZK15,600 $822.78 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ZK7,000 /mo $369.20 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ZK5,800 /mo $305.91 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ZK28,000 /yr $1,476.79 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Zambia is higher.
Work Week
- Zambia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate on regular days, 2x on Sundays and public holidays. Governed by the Employment Code Act, 2019.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Venezuela to Zambia would see a 1669% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Zambia mandates 48 hours while Venezuela mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Zambia are $16 vs $1 in Venezuela.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs Zambia
Compare Zambia with...
Zambia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Zambia vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Zambia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Zambia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Zambia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Zambia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Zambia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Zambia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Zambia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Zambia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Zambia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Zambia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Zambia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Zambia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Zambia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Zambia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Zambia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Zambia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Zambia vs Switzerland 
Zambia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Zambia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Zambia vs Sweden 
Zambia vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Zambia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Zambia or Venezuela?
In Zambia, the minimum wage is ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Zambia has the higher rate by 1669% 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 more does the average worker earn in Zambia compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Zambia is ZK7,000/mo ($369.20 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Zambia earn approximately 2595% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Zambia and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Zambia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Zambia and Venezuela?
Zambia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Zambia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Venezuela 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.