Key Facts: Brunei vs Guinea Wages
- Brunei Minimum Wage
- B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD)
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- Brunei Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$2,500 /mo ($1,968.50 USD)
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 USD)
- Data Sources
- Labour Department, Ministry of Home Affairs — Brunei Darussalam (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25)
Brunei
Guinea
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Brunei is roughly 25 times lower than in Guinea in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,969/mo in Brunei versus $174/mo in Guinea, a 11.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Brunei is 19.7x that of Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Brunei has higher GDP per capita ($89,879 vs $4,565). Brunei's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Guinea's 5.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Brunei | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | B$2.62 $2.06 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | B$500 $393.70 | FG440,000 $51.04 |
| Minimum wage /yr | B$6,000 $4,724.41 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | B$2,500 /mo $1,968.50 | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | B$2,500 /mo $1,968.50 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | B$18,000 /yr $14,173.23 | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Brunei is higher.
Work Week
- Brunei
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard working hours are 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week under the Employment Order, 2009. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. During Ramadan, Muslim workers typically work 6 hours/day. The government sector generally works 37.5-40 hours/week.
- 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 Brunei earns 2374% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guinea. Standard work weeks differ: Brunei mandates 44 hours while Guinea mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Brunei are $91 vs $2,042 in Guinea.
See this comparison from Guinea's perspective: Guinea vs Brunei
Compare Brunei with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Brunei or Guinea?
In Brunei, the minimum wage is B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD). In Guinea, it is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). Guinea has the higher rate by 2374% 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 Brunei may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Brunei compared to Guinea?
The average gross salary in Brunei is B$2,500/mo ($1,968.50 USD), compared to FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD) in Guinea. In USD terms, workers in Brunei earn approximately 1031% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Brunei and Guinea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brunei earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Brunei and Guinea?
Brunei has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guinea. Workers in Brunei work 44 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 Brunei and Guinea?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Brunei has the higher GDP per capita at $89,879, which is 19.7x that of Guinea at $4,565. From Brunei'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.