Key Facts: Zimbabwe vs Eritrea Wages
- Zimbabwe Minimum Wage
- $0.87/hr
- Eritrea Minimum Wage
- Nfk600/mo ($40 USD)
- Zimbabwe Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $253 /mo ($253 USD)
- Eritrea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nfk6,000 /mo ($400 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare — Zimbabwe (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHCHR Eritrea reports (2026-02-25)
Zimbabwe 
Eritrea
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Zimbabwe is roughly 46 times lower than in Eritrea in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Zimbabwe at $253/mo compared to $400/mo in Eritrea. Eritrea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 6.0% compared to 9.3%.
Zimbabwe's unemployment rate is 9.3% compared to Eritrea's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Zimbabwe | Eritrea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $0.87 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | $150 | Nfk600 $40 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $1,800 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $253 /mo | Nfk6,000 /mo $400 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $220 /mo | Nfk5,400 /mo $360 |
| 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%.
- Eritrea
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Labour Law sets 44 hours/week for civilian workers (8 hours/day, 5.5 days). However, the national service program operates under military regulations outside normal labour law. No reliable enforcement or monitoring data is available.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Zimbabwe earns 4498% less per hour in USD terms than one in Eritrea. Standard work weeks differ: Zimbabwe mandates 45 hours while Eritrea mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Zimbabwe are $39 vs $1,760 in Eritrea.
See this comparison from Eritrea's perspective: Eritrea vs Zimbabwe
Compare Zimbabwe with...
Zimbabwe vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Zimbabwe vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Zimbabwe vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Switzerland 
Zimbabwe vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Zimbabwe vs Sweden 
Zimbabwe vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Zimbabwe or Eritrea?
In Zimbabwe, the minimum wage is $0.87/hr. In Eritrea, it is Nfk600/mo ($40 USD). Eritrea has the higher rate by 4498% 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 Eritrea?
The average gross salary in Zimbabwe is $253/mo, compared to Nfk6,000/mo ($400 USD) in Eritrea. In USD terms, workers in Zimbabwe earn approximately 58% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Zimbabwe and Eritrea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Eritrea 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 Eritrea?
Zimbabwe has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in Eritrea. Workers in Zimbabwe work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Eritrea 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.