Key Facts: Afghanistan vs Mozambique Wages
- Afghanistan Minimum Wage
- ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD)
- Mozambique Minimum Wage
- MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
- Afghanistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ؋30,000 /mo ($474.83 USD)
- Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (2026-05-04), Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25)
Afghanistan
Mozambique
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Afghanistan is roughly 144 times higher than in Mozambique in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Afghanistan at $475/mo compared to $282/mo in Mozambique. Mozambique has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 6.6% compared to 13.3%.
Afghanistan has higher GDP per capita ($2,202 vs $1,705). Afghanistan's unemployment rate is 13.3% compared to Mozambique's 6.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Afghanistan | Mozambique |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | MT38.60 $0.60 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ؋5,500 $87.05 | MT6,688 $104.75 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | MT80,256 $1,256.95 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ؋30,000 /mo $474.83 | MT18,000 /mo $281.91 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ؋26,000 /mo $411.52 | MT15,500 /mo $242.76 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | MT60,000 /yr $939.70 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Afghanistan is higher.
Work Week
- Afghanistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (last version under previous government) set 40 hours/week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Under Taliban administration, Thursday is sometimes also observed as a rest day. Women's employment is severely restricted under Taliban policies.
- Mozambique
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week and 8 hours per day. Overtime is limited to 96 hours per quarter and 200 hours per year. Overtime compensated at 150% for regular days and 200% for holidays and rest days.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Mozambique to Afghanistan would see a 14300% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Afghanistan mandates 40 hours while Mozambique mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Afghanistan are $3,482 vs $29 in Mozambique.
See this comparison from Mozambique's perspective: Mozambique vs Afghanistan
Compare Afghanistan with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Afghanistan or Mozambique?
In Afghanistan, the minimum wage is ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD). In Mozambique, it is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD). Afghanistan has the higher rate by 14300% 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 Mozambique may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Afghanistan compared to Mozambique?
The average gross salary in Afghanistan is ؋30,000/mo ($474.83 USD), compared to MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD) in Mozambique. In USD terms, workers in Afghanistan earn approximately 68% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Afghanistan and Mozambique is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Afghanistan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Mozambique.
How do work hours compare between Afghanistan and Mozambique?
Mozambique has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Afghanistan. Workers in Afghanistan work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Afghanistan 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 Afghanistan and Mozambique?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Afghanistan has the higher GDP per capita at $2,202, which is 1.3x that of Mozambique at $1,705. From Afghanistan's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.