Key Facts: Benin vs Philippines Wages
- Benin Minimum Wage
- CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD)
- Philippines Minimum Wage
- ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD)
- Benin Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Philippines Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₱20,000 /mo ($323.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Public Service / ILO (2026-02-25), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) / National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC); 2025 figures verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 18 July 2025) (2026-05-04)
Benin
Philippines
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Benin is roughly 543 times lower than in the Philippines in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Benin at $215/mo compared to $324/mo in the Philippines. GDP per capita (PPP) in Philippines is 2.7x that of Benin, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Benin has lower GDP per capita ($4,435 vs $11,794). Benin's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to the Philippines' 2.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Benin | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | CFA300 $0.54 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₱695 $11.25 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA52,000 $93.36 | ₱18,070 $292.62 |
| Minimum wage /yr | CFA624,000 $1,120.29 | ₱234,910 $3,804.09 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | ₱20,000 /mo $323.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | CFA100,000 /mo $179.53 | ₱17,600 /mo $285.01 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA480,000 /yr $861.76 | ₱156,000 /yr $2,526.23 |
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.
- Philippines
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labor Code sets normal working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Overtime: 25% premium on regular days, 30% on rest days/holidays. Night shift differential (10pm-6am): 10% additional. Special non-working holidays: 30% premium. Regular holidays: 100% premium.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Benin earns 54230% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Philippines. Standard work weeks differ: Benin mandates 40 hours while the Philippines mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Benin are $22 vs $14,046 in the Philippines.
See this comparison from Philippines's perspective: Philippines vs Benin
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Benin or Philippines?
In Benin, the minimum wage is CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD). In the Philippines, it is ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD). Philippines has the higher rate by 54230% 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 Philippines?
The average gross salary in Benin is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to ₱20,000/mo ($323.88 USD) in the Philippines. In USD terms, workers in Benin earn approximately 50% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Benin and Philippines is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Philippines earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Benin.
How do work hours compare between Benin and Philippines?
Philippines has a longer standard work week at 48 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 Philippines?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Philippines has the higher GDP per capita at $11,794, which is 2.7x 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.