Key Facts: Central African Republic vs Egypt Wages
- Central African Republic Minimum Wage
- FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD)
- Egypt Minimum Wage
- E£29.17/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Central African Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA75,000 /mo ($134.65 USD)
- Egypt Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- E£6,833 /mo ($134.51 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHADA Labour Code (2026-02-25), Ministry of Manpower / National Wages Council; 2025 and 2026 announcements verified via JETRO citing Egyptian government sources (2026-05-27)
Central African Republic
Egypt
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in the Central African Republic is roughly 109 times higher than in Egypt in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in the Central African Republic at $135/mo compared to $135/mo in Egypt. GDP per capita (PPP) in Egypt is 15.1x that of Central African Republic, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Central African Republic has lower GDP per capita ($1,263 vs $19,094). The Central African Republic's unemployment rate is 6.3% compared to Egypt's 6.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Central African Republic | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | E£29.17 $0.57 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA1,400 $2.51 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA35,000 $62.84 | E£7,000 $137.80 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | E£84,000 $1,653.54 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA75,000 /mo $134.65 | E£6,833 /mo $134.51 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | E£6,150 /mo $121.06 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Central African Republic is higher.
Work Week
- Central African Republic
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Labour Code sets a standard 40-hour workweek, with maximum 48 hours including overtime. These provisions apply to formal employment only, which represents a small fraction of total employment. Enforcement capacity is severely constrained by institutional fragility.
- Egypt
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Law No. 12 of 2003 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week (excluding meal breaks). Overtime premium: 35% during the day, 70% at night. Maximum 2 overtime hours/day. Friday is the default weekly rest day. During Ramadan, working hours are commonly reduced in practice.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Egypt to the Central African Republic would see a 10843% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: the Central African Republic mandates 40 hours while Egypt mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Central African Republic are $2,513 vs $28 in Egypt.
See this comparison from Egypt's perspective: Egypt vs Central African Republic
Compare Central African Republic with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Central African Republic or Egypt?
In the Central African Republic, the minimum wage is FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD). In Egypt, it is E£29.17/hr ($0.57 USD). Central African Republic has the higher rate by 10843% 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 Egypt may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Central African Republic compared to Egypt?
The average gross salary in the Central African Republic is FCFA75,000/mo ($134.65 USD), compared to E£6,833/mo ($134.51 USD) in Egypt. In USD terms, workers in the Central African Republic earn approximately 0% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Central African Republic and Egypt is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Central African Republic earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Egypt.
How do work hours compare between Central African Republic and Egypt?
Egypt has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Central African Republic. Workers in the Central African Republic work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Central African Republic 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 Central African Republic and Egypt?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Egypt has the higher GDP per capita at $19,094, which is 15.1x that of Central African Republic at $1,263. From the Central African Republic'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.