Key Facts: Barbados vs Guinea Wages
- Barbados Minimum Wage
- Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD)
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- Barbados Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bds$3,900 /mo ($1,950 USD)
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector — Barbados (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25)
Barbados
Guinea
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Barbados is roughly 10 times lower than in Guinea in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,950/mo in Barbados versus $174/mo in Guinea, a 11.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Barbados is 5.4x that of Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Barbados has higher GDP per capita ($24,823 vs $4,565). Barbados' unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Guinea's 5.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Barbados | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bds$10.71 $5.36 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bds$1,855.07 $927.54 | FG440,000 $51.04 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Bds$22,260.80 $11,130.40 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bds$3,900 /mo $1,950 | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Bds$3,120 /mo $1,560 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | Bds$28,000 /yr $14,000 | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 |
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.
- Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week for formal-sector employees. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for weekday hours, 2x for work on rest days. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Barbados earns 853% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guinea.
See this comparison from Guinea's perspective: Guinea vs Barbados
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Barbados or Guinea?
In Barbados, the minimum wage is Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD). In Guinea, it is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). Guinea has the higher rate by 853% 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 Barbados 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 Guinea?
The average gross salary in Barbados is Bds$3,900/mo ($1,950 USD), compared to FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD) in Guinea. In USD terms, workers in Barbados earn approximately 1021% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Barbados and Guinea 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 Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Barbados and Guinea?
Both Barbados and Guinea mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Barbados and Guinea?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Barbados has the higher GDP per capita at $24,823, which is 5.4x that of Guinea at $4,565. From Barbados' 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.