Key Facts: Barbados vs Mauritania Wages
- Barbados Minimum Wage
- Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD)
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Barbados Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bds$3,900 /mo ($1,950 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector — Barbados (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25)
Barbados
Mauritania
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Barbados is roughly 140 times lower than in Mauritania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Barbados at $1,950/mo compared to $1,625/mo in Mauritania. GDP per capita (PPP) in Barbados is 3.4x that of Mauritania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Barbados has higher GDP per capita ($24,823 vs $7,369). Barbados' unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Mauritania's 10.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Barbados | Mauritania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Bds$10.71 $5.36 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | UM1,200 $30 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Bds$1,855.07 $927.54 | UM30,000 $750 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Bds$22,260.80 $11,130.40 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Bds$3,900 /mo $1,950 | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Bds$3,120 /mo $1,560 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | Bds$28,000 /yr $14,000 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Mauritania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week, with Friday as the rest day. Arabic is the official language; French widely used in business. Some sectors may observe Thursday–Friday weekends.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Barbados earns 13906% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mauritania.
See this comparison from Mauritania's perspective: Mauritania vs Barbados
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Barbados or Mauritania?
In Barbados, the minimum wage is Bds$10.71/hr ($5.36 USD). In Mauritania, it is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 13906% 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 Mauritania?
The average gross salary in Barbados is Bds$3,900/mo ($1,950 USD), compared to UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD) in Mauritania. In USD terms, workers in Barbados earn approximately 20% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Barbados and Mauritania 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 Mauritania.
How do work hours compare between Barbados and Mauritania?
Both Barbados and Mauritania 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 Mauritania?
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 3.4x that of Mauritania at $7,369. 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.