Key Facts: Botswana vs Guinea Wages
- Botswana Minimum Wage
- P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD)
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- Botswana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- P7,500 /mo ($555.14 USD)
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25)
Botswana
Guinea
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Botswana is roughly 76 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: $555/mo in Botswana versus $174/mo in Guinea, a 3.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Botswana is 4.5x that of Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Botswana has higher GDP per capita ($20,538 vs $4,565). Botswana's unemployment rate is 24.5% compared to Guinea's 5.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Botswana | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | P9.06 $0.67 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | P1,883 $139.38 | FG440,000 $51.04 |
| Minimum wage /yr | P22,596 $1,672.54 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | P7,500 /mo $555.14 | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | P6,200 /mo $458.92 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | P36,000 /yr $2,664.69 | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Botswana is higher.
Work Week
- Botswana
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or 8 hours/day for 6-day week). Overtime maximum of 14 additional hours per week. Overtime rate is 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays or rest days compensated at 2x.
- 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 Botswana earns 7512% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guinea. Standard work weeks differ: Botswana mandates 48 hours while Guinea mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Botswana are $32 vs $2,042 in Guinea.
See this comparison from Guinea's perspective: Guinea vs Botswana
Compare Botswana with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Botswana or Guinea?
In Botswana, the minimum wage is P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD). In Guinea, it is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). Guinea has the higher rate by 7512% 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 Botswana may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Botswana compared to Guinea?
The average gross salary in Botswana is P7,500/mo ($555.14 USD), compared to FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD) in Guinea. In USD terms, workers in Botswana earn approximately 219% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Botswana and Guinea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Botswana earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Botswana and Guinea?
Botswana has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guinea. Workers in Botswana work 48 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 Botswana and Guinea?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Botswana has the higher GDP per capita at $20,538, which is 4.5x that of Guinea at $4,565. From Botswana'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.