Key Facts: Belize vs Guinea Wages
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25)
Belize
Guinea
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Belize is roughly 20 times lower than in Guinea in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $900/mo in Belize versus $174/mo in Guinea, a 5.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Belize is 3.1x that of Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Belize has higher GDP per capita ($14,347 vs $4,565). Belize's unemployment rate is 8.9% compared to Guinea's 5.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Belize | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BZ$5 $2.50 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | BZ$975 $487.50 | FG440,000 $51.04 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BZ$11,700 $5,850 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Belize is higher.
Work Week
- Belize
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
- 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 Belize earns 1942% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guinea. Standard work weeks differ: Belize mandates 45 hours while Guinea mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Belize are $113 vs $2,042 in Guinea.
See this comparison from Guinea's perspective: Guinea vs Belize
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Belize or Guinea?
In Belize, the minimum wage is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). In Guinea, it is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). Guinea has the higher rate by 1942% 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 Belize may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Belize compared to Guinea?
The average gross salary in Belize is BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD), compared to FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD) in Guinea. In USD terms, workers in Belize earn approximately 417% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Belize and Guinea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Belize earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Belize and Guinea?
Belize has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guinea. Workers in Belize work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Guinea 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 Belize and Guinea?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Belize has the higher GDP per capita at $14,347, which is 3.1x that of Guinea at $4,565. From Belize'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.