Key Facts: Benin vs Israel Wages
- Benin Minimum Wage
- CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD)
- Israel Minimum Wage
- ₪35.40/hr ($12.57 USD)
- Benin Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Israel Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪12,000 /mo ($4,262.12 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Public Service / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Economy and Industry / National Insurance Institute; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2026-04-01) (2026-05-04)
Benin
Israel
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Benin is roughly 23 times lower than in Israel in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $215/mo in Benin versus $4,262/mo in Israel, a 19.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Israel is 12.9x that of Benin, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Benin's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Benin's minimum wage buys less than Israel's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Benin is $1 international dollars, compared to $10 in Israel. Benin has lower GDP per capita ($4,435 vs $57,236). Benin's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Israel's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Benin | Israel |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | CFA300 $0.54 | ₪35.40 $12.57 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA52,000 $93.36 | ₪6,443.85 $2,288.71 |
| Minimum wage /yr | CFA624,000 $1,120.29 | ₪77,326.20 $27,464.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | ₪12,000 /mo $4,262.12 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | CFA100,000 /mo $179.53 | ₪9,000 /mo $3,196.59 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA480,000 /yr $861.76 | ₪108,000 /yr $38,359.08 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Benin is higher.
Work Week
- Benin
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.12x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours for non-agricultural sectors (48 hours for agriculture). Overtime from 41-48 hours paid at 112% of normal rate; hours exceeding 48 paid at 135%. Night work and weekend overtime carry higher premiums.
- Israel
-
42 hrs/wk standard
Max 42 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek reduced from 43 to 42 hours in April 2018. Typically 5-day work week (8.4 hrs/day) or 6-day week. First 2 overtime hours: 125% of regular rate; subsequent hours: 150%. Weekly rest day is typically Friday evening to Saturday evening (Shabbat). Maximum 12 hours in any workday.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Benin earns 2234% less per hour in USD terms than one in Israel. Standard work weeks differ: Benin mandates 40 hours while Israel mandates 42 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Benin are $22 vs $528 in Israel.
See this comparison from Israel's perspective: Israel vs Benin
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Benin or Israel?
In Benin, the minimum wage is CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD). In Israel, it is ₪35.40/hr ($12.57 USD). Israel has the higher rate by 2234% 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 Benin may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Benin compared to Israel?
The average gross salary in Benin is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to ₪12,000/mo ($4,262.12 USD) in Israel. In USD terms, workers in Benin earn approximately 1878% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Benin and Israel is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Israel earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Benin.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Benin or Israel?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Israel can afford more than those in Benin. The PPP-adjusted rate is $1 in Benin and $10 in Israel. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 585% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Benin appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Benin and Israel?
Israel has a longer standard work week at 42 hours, compared to 40 hours in Benin. Workers in Benin work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Benin 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 Benin and Israel?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Israel has the higher GDP per capita at $57,236, which is 12.9x that of Benin at $4,435. From Benin's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.