Key Facts: Barbados vs Cuba Wages
- Barbados Minimum Wage
- Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Barbados Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bds$3,900 /mo ($1,950 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector — Barbados (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Barbados 
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Barbados is roughly 181 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,950/mo in Barbados versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 120.2:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 6.5%.
Barbados' unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Barbados | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bds$10.71 $5.36 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bds$1,855.07 $927.54 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Bds$22,260.80 $11,130.40 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bds$3,900 /mo $1,950 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Bds$3,120 /mo $1,560 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | Bds$28,000 /yr $14,000 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Barbados is higher.
Work Week
- Barbados
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). The Shops Act allows up to 48 hours in some retail sectors. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Work on Sundays and public holidays typically paid at 2x the regular rate.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Barbados would see a 18015% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Barbados mandates 40 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Barbados are $214 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Barbados
Compare Barbados with...
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Barbados vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Barbados vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
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Barbados vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Barbados or Cuba?
In Barbados, the minimum wage is Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Barbados has the higher rate by 18015% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Barbados compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Barbados is Bds$3,900/mo ($1,950 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Barbados earn approximately 11924% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Barbados and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Barbados earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Barbados and Cuba?
Cuba has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Barbados. Workers in Barbados work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Barbados 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.