Key Facts: Zimbabwe vs Djibouti Wages
- Zimbabwe Minimum Wage
- $0.87/hr
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Zimbabwe Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $253 /mo ($253 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare — Zimbabwe (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25)
Zimbabwe
Djibouti
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Zimbabwe is roughly 226 times lower than in Djibouti in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $253/mo in Zimbabwe versus $675/mo in Djibouti, a 2.7:1 ratio. Zimbabwe has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 9.3% compared to 26.0%.
Zimbabwe has lower GDP per capita ($5,928 vs $7,810). Zimbabwe's unemployment rate is 9.3% compared to Djibouti's 26.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Zimbabwe | Djibouti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $0.87 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Fdj1,400 $7.88 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $150 | Fdj35,000 $196.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $1,800 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $253 /mo | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $220 /mo | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,200 /yr | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Zimbabwe is higher.
Work Week
- Zimbabwe
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act sets maximum working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week). Overtime is limited and must be compensated at 150% of normal rate. Sunday and public holiday work at 200%.
- Djibouti
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Arabic and French are official languages. The labour force is supplemented by a large number of migrant workers from Ethiopia and Somalia.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Zimbabwe earns 22537% less per hour in USD terms than one in Djibouti. Standard work weeks differ: Zimbabwe mandates 45 hours while Djibouti mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Zimbabwe are $39 vs $7,878 in Djibouti.
See this comparison from Djibouti's perspective: Djibouti vs Zimbabwe
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Zimbabwe or Djibouti?
In Zimbabwe, the minimum wage is $0.87/hr. In Djibouti, it is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). Djibouti has the higher rate by 22537% 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 Zimbabwe may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Zimbabwe compared to Djibouti?
The average gross salary in Zimbabwe is $253/mo, compared to Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD) in Djibouti. In USD terms, workers in Zimbabwe earn approximately 167% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Zimbabwe and Djibouti is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Djibouti earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Zimbabwe.
How do work hours compare between Zimbabwe and Djibouti?
Zimbabwe has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Djibouti. Workers in Zimbabwe work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Djibouti 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 Zimbabwe and Djibouti?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Djibouti has the higher GDP per capita at $7,810, which is 1.3x that of Zimbabwe at $5,928. From Zimbabwe'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.