Key Facts: Brazil vs Cuba Wages
- Brazil Minimum Wage
- R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Brazil Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- R$3,200 /mo ($636.88 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment (2026-03-02), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Brazil 
Cuba
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Brazil is roughly 50 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $637/mo in Brazil versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 39.3:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 6.0%.
Brazil's unemployment rate is 6.0% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Brazil | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | R$7.37 $1.47 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /day | R$54.04 $10.76 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | R$1,621 $322.62 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | R$21,073 $4,194.05 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | R$3,200 /mo $636.88 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | R$2,700 /mo $537.37 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | R$22,800 /yr $4,537.76 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Brazil is higher.
Work Week
- Brazil
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Constitutional limit of 44 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Overtime minimum 50% premium (often higher by collective agreement). Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Brazil would see a 4862% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Brazil
Compare Brazil with...
Brazil vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Brazil vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Brazil vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Brazil vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Brazil vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Brazil vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Brazil vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Brazil vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Brazil vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Brazil vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Brazil vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Brazil vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Brazil vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Brazil vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Brazil vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Brazil vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Brazil vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Brazil vs Switzerland 
Brazil vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Brazil vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Brazil vs Sweden 
Brazil vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Brazil vs Singapore 
Brazil vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Brazil or Cuba?
In Brazil, the minimum wage is R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Brazil has the higher rate by 4862% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Brazil compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Brazil is R$3,200/mo ($636.88 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Brazil earn approximately 3827% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Brazil and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brazil earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Brazil and Cuba?
Both Brazil and Cuba mandate a similar standard work week of 44 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.