25 Countries With Lowest Salaries

In today’s economy where billion-dollar tech fortunes emerge overnight, another quieter reality exists: millions of workers across low-income nations survive on salaries that barely cover food and transport. Despite working full-time, they remain trapped in poverty.

For many, salaries run out before the month begins, for others, survival means choosing between transport fares and meals.

This report highlights 25 countries with the lowest monthly salaries after tax; why wages remain stagnant, and what this means for global labour dignity.

The latest report released by Numbeo, a global cost of living database, ranked Cuba, Syria and Nigeria as the bottom three countries with the lowest average monthly salaries after tax. Numbeo’s Data highlight the stark income disparities among nations and reflect the ongoing economic struggles in several developing countries, particularly across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Here is the full list of the Top 25 Countries With the Lowest Monthly Salaries (After Tax)

Rank	Country	Salary (USD)	Approx Salary (₦)
1	Cuba	$35.63	₦51,669
2	Syria	$46.85	₦67,933
3	Nigeria	$123.24	₦178,398
4	Egypt	$147.06	₦213,039
5	Cameroon	$165.73	₦240,399
6	Ivory Coast	$178.23	₦258,424
7	Pakistan	$186.28	₦270,826
8	Uganda	$190.52	₦276,294
9	Ghana	$200.60	₦290,870
10	Ethiopia	$201.43	₦291,999
11	Sri Lanka	$210.74	₦305,573
12	Venezuela	$211.60	₦307,820
13	Nepal	$214.68	₦311,186
14	Tajikistan	$238.78	₦346,371
15	Bangladesh	$249.10	₦360,795
16	Iran	$255.84	₦370,968
17	Rwanda	$259.76	₦376,602
18	Nicaragua	$285.37	₦413,041
19	Indonesia	$288.27	₦417,892
20	Tanzania	$307.26	₦445,525
21	Libya	$314.76	₦456,650
22	Algeria	$317.93	₦460,599
23	Tunisia	$332.55	₦482,298
24	Zimbabwe	$348.13	₦504,790
25	Kenya	$356.06	₦516,287

READ ALSO: 98% of Nigerian Workers to be exempted from PAYE under new Tax Law — Oyedele

What these Numbers Mean

In some of these countries, workers earn less in a month than a cleaner earns in a single day in Europe or North America. Moreover, inflation and currency depreciation mean real wages are falling further. Therefore, even those who work full-time still struggle to survive.

Structural Traps That Keep Wages Down

Structural Trap	Impact on Earnings
Weak industrial base	Low-skill, low-pay sectors dominate
High unemployment	Employers suppress wages
Weak labour rights	Minimum wages ignored
Currency devaluation	Real value of wages erodes

In other words, even when workers try to progress, the system pushes them back to poverty. “My salary is ₦70,000 and transport is ₦35,000. I’m working just to go to work,” — Njokwu Mary, Nigeria.

“I don’t need luxury. I just want my children to eat three times a day” — Peter, Malawi.

These voices reflect a silent economic suffering seen from Kampala to Dhaka, Freetown to Karachi.

While salaries are low, expenses keep rising. Consequently, workers are not living, they are enduring.

• Transport consumes 30–50% of wages in major African cities
• Staple foods have doubled in price in three years
• Rent and electricity bills rise while pay stagnates

Meanwhile, informal workers who often make up more than 60% of the workforce have no social protection, no pension, and no minimum wage safety net.

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Capital Gains Tax Overhaul: A Turning Point or Investor Deterrent?

Unlike the loud debates on billionaires and markets, wage poverty rarely trends. Yet, it affects far more people.

“We engineered global wealth but preserved global wage poverty,” says Economist Dr. Saleem Abdullah.

Despite massive natural resources, countries like Nigeria, Congo, and Zimbabwe still export raw materials rather than value-added products. As a result, wages remain tied to low productivity sectors.

Why Workers Can’t Escape

Barrier	Effect
Low wages	No savings
Weak unions	No bargaining power
Cost of passports/visas	Migration out of reach
Informal jobs	No contract or benefits

Ultimately, poverty becomes a cage.

Tax Burden & Social Protection Snapshot 25 countries (reporter table)

#	Country	System & scope (short)	Headline / top marginal rate (approx)	Tax-free allowance / key note (approx)	Source (check for latest updates)
1	Cuba	Progressive personal income tax + mandatory social contributions; payroll withholding for many employees.	Top bands around 15% in published 2024/25 scales (multiple low bands, then higher). (approx.)	Small first band exempt; employer withholding applies; special rules for foreigners.	Cuban Budget / payroll guides; payroll guide summary.
2	Syria	Progressive system; recent 2024–25 reforms introduced new exemptions and higher thresholds.	Reported headline/top marginal rate ~22–30% (in reform drafts; in flux). (approx.)	New personal exemption threshold introduced with reforms — treat as provisional.	Recent Syria tax reform reports; press summaries.
3	Nigeria	Progressive PAYE for employees; residents taxed on local source and worldwide (subject rules).	Top marginal rate 24% (per 2024/25 PAYE table).	PAYE relief for very low earners; national minimum wage exemption applies.
4	Egypt	Progressive individual tax.	Top personal rate 27.5% (recent bracket schedules).	Annual tax-free allowance reported at EGP 20,000 in published guides.
5	Cameroon	Progressive PIT on salaries (XAF brackets).	Top band 38.5% (per published scale).	First band (0–XAF2,000,000) taxed 11%; payroll withholding required.
6	Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)	Progressive PIT; resident taxed on worldwide income.	Progressive top rates reported in national guidance (approx 30–40%).	Various allowances and withholding rules; official DGI guidance for bands.
7	Pakistan	Progressive tax; separate salaried schedule.	Top marginal rate for high earners 40–45% including surcharges (varies by bracket).	Lower bands often tax-exempt; surcharges apply above PKR thresholds.
8	Uganda	PAYE progressive bands; resident taxed on worldwide income.	Top marginal band ~30% (additional 10% surtax above very high threshold reported in some guides).	Annual basic exemption (UGX 2,820,000) and PAYE withheld by employers.
9	Ghana	Progressive PAYE ranges from 0% up to 35%; non-residents often taxed at flat 25%.	Top marginal rate 35%.	Small tax-free band (monthly GH¢ first band) and stipulated monthly bands for PAYE.
10	Ethiopia	Progressive individual tax (residents taxed on worldwide income).	Top marginal rates reported up to 35% in recent summaries.	Exemption thresholds and PAYE rules; recent additional levies introduced.
11	Sri Lanka	Progressive personal income tax; some employees file returns.	Headline top rates ~24–30% depending on bracket (recent reforms changed slabs).	Some lower bands exempt; employer withholding often applies.
12	Venezuela	Progressive/complex system; special withholding for non-residents.	For non-residents flat withholding 34% on many payments; residents subject to progressive rates (varies).	Heavy distortions due to exchange controls; use official tax authority notice.
13	Nepal	Progressive PIT; resident taxed on worldwide income.	Top marginal rate 35% (typical for higher brackets in recent tables).	Standard allowances for individuals; yearly slab updates common.
14	Tajikistan	Mostly flat/low headline rate in many summaries.	Personal income tax often shown as flat 12%.	Simpler single rate system reported in official tax code.
15	Bangladesh	Progressive personal income tax (salaried and non-salaried schedules).	Top marginal rate 30% (on highest band; FY schedules vary).	First BDT band often tax-free; separate incentives and investment rebates apply.
16	Iran	Progressive PIT under national tax law; complex brackets.	Published top rates ~35% in many tax summaries (varies with allowances).	Some deductions for dependants and allowances; official Revenue org. updates needed.
17	Rwanda	Progressive PAYE (resident individuals).	Top marginal rate ~30% (common in summaries).	Monthly PAYE bands; particular reliefs for low earners. (Check Rwanda Revenue Authority for details.)
18	Nicaragua	Progressive tax system; PAYE on salaries.	Top rates reported around 30% (varies by bracket and resident status).	Withholding on salaries; tax code updates periodically.	General tax guides / country summaries.
19	Indonesia	Progressive individual income tax.	Top marginal rate ~30% (recent law shows top bracket near 30–35%).	Employee allowances and caps; some exemptions for low earners.
20	Tanzania	Progressive PAYE; resident taxed on local income.	Top marginal rates commonly ~30% (per country tax summaries).	Monthly PAYE tables; employer withholding required.	Country tax summaries / PwC.
21	Libya	Personal tax historically limited; recent reforms and currency changes affect taxation.	Historically low formal PIT for many; recent devaluations and reforms complicate headline rate (varies).	Oil revenues and fiscal policy shape payroll practice; check official Ministry of Finance guidance.
22	Algeria	Progressive individual income tax under national tax code.	Top marginal rate ~35% in typical summaries.	Various allowances; social security contributions also significant.	PwC / country tax notes.
23	Tunisia	Progressive PIT (brackets in TND).	Top marginal rate reported ~35% (varies by bracket).	Employer withholding rules; check Tunisian tax authority for band cutoffs.	Country tax summaries / PwC.
24	Zimbabwe	Progressive income tax; top rates have been updated under recent fiscal measures.	Top marginal rate reported ~30–40% (recent changes; check Zimbabwe Revenue Authority).	Currency volatility and multi-rate issues; taxable income rules complex.	National revenue notices / summaries.
25	Kenya	Progressive PAYE; residents taxed on worldwide income (subject rules).	Top marginal rate ~30% (standard Kenyan PAYE top band).	Personal relief (monthly) and PAYE withholding by employer; check KRA for slabs.

To reverse wage poverty, economists recommend:

1. Industrialisation & value-chain development
2. Minimum wage indexed to inflation
3. Support for unions and collective bargaining
4. Affordable education & digital training
5. Currency stability policies
6. Social protection for low-income earners

READ ALSO: Broaden Non-oil Tax Base, NESG Tells FG as Debt Service Gulps Revenue

Wage poverty is not just an income issue, it is a dignity issue. Millions are employed yet unable to secure a basic life. Until global economic structures shift — and nations invest in competitiveness millions will continue to work, but not live.