Key Facts: Cambodia vs Guinea-Bissau Wages
- Cambodia Minimum Wage
- $0.88/hr
- Guinea-Bissau Minimum Wage
- CFA19,030/mo ($34.17 USD)
- Cambodia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $300 /mo ($300 USD)
- Guinea-Bissau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA95,000 /mo ($170.56 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) — Cambodia (2026-06-01), ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (citation [95]) (2026-05-04)
Cambodia
Guinea-Bissau
Updated 2026-06-01
The minimum wage in Cambodia is roughly 39 times lower than in Guinea-Bissau in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Cambodia at $300/mo compared to $171/mo in Guinea-Bissau. GDP per capita (PPP) in Cambodia is 2.6x that of Guinea-Bissau, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Cambodia has higher GDP per capita ($7,967 vs $3,119). Cambodia's unemployment rate is 0.3% compared to Guinea-Bissau's 2.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cambodia | Guinea-Bissau |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $0.88 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | CFA761 $1.37 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $210 | CFA19,030 $34.17 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $2,520 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $300 /mo | CFA95,000 /mo $170.56 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $285 /mo | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,800 /yr | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cambodia is higher.
Work Week
- Cambodia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (1997) sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime is paid at 150% for daytime hours and 200% for nighttime/holiday hours. Maximum overtime is limited. Workers are entitled to 1.5 days off per week (Sunday plus Saturday afternoon). Garment workers typically work 6-day weeks with piece-rate bonuses.
- Guinea-Bissau
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week as the standard. Overtime provisions apply to formal employment. Portuguese is the official language; labour law reflects Lusophone and OHADA traditions.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Cambodia earns 3805% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guinea-Bissau. Standard work weeks differ: Cambodia mandates 48 hours while Guinea-Bissau mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Cambodia are $42 vs $1,367 in Guinea-Bissau.
See this comparison from Guinea-Bissau's perspective: Guinea-Bissau vs Cambodia
Compare Cambodia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cambodia or Guinea-Bissau?
In Cambodia, the minimum wage is $0.88/hr. In Guinea-Bissau, it is CFA19,030/mo ($34.17 USD). Guinea-Bissau has the higher rate by 3805% 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 Cambodia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Cambodia compared to Guinea-Bissau?
The average gross salary in Cambodia is $300/mo, compared to CFA95,000/mo ($170.56 USD) in Guinea-Bissau. In USD terms, workers in Cambodia earn approximately 76% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cambodia and Guinea-Bissau is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Cambodia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guinea-Bissau.
How do work hours compare between Cambodia and Guinea-Bissau?
Cambodia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guinea-Bissau. Workers in Cambodia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Guinea-Bissau 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 Cambodia and Guinea-Bissau?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Cambodia has the higher GDP per capita at $7,967, which is 2.6x that of Guinea-Bissau at $3,119. From Cambodia'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.