Key Facts: Chad vs Malaysia Wages
- Chad Minimum Wage
- FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD)
- Malaysia Minimum Wage
- RM8.72/hr ($2.20 USD)
- Chad Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA180,000 /mo ($323.16 USD)
- Malaysia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RM4,000 /mo ($1,008.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et du Dialogue Social (Chad) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR); Minimum Wages Order 2024 P.U.(A) 376 eff 2025-02-01; primary source gajiminimum.mohr.gov.my (2026-05-27)
Chad
Malaysia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Chad is roughly 49 times higher than in Malaysia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $323/mo in Chad versus $1,009/mo in Malaysia, a 3.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Malaysia is 14.1x that of Chad, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Chad has lower GDP per capita ($2,743 vs $38,779). Chad's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Malaysia's 3.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chad | Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | RM8.72 $2.20 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA60,000 $107.72 | RM1,700 $428.75 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | RM20,400 $5,145.02 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA180,000 /mo $323.16 | RM4,000 /mo $1,008.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | RM3,520 /mo $887.77 |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA180,000 /yr $323.16 | RM31,200 /yr $7,868.85 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Chad is higher.
Work Week
- Chad
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Overtime compensated at 1.5x. These provisions apply only to a narrow formal-sector workforce.
- Malaysia
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 1955 (amended 2022) reduced maximum working hours from 48 to 45 hours/week, effective 1 January 2023. Maximum 8 hours/day or 45 hours/week. Overtime at 1.5x on normal days, 2x on rest days, 3x on public holidays. Maximum overtime: 104 hours/month. Applies to employees earning up to MYR 4,000/mo (threshold raised from MYR 2,000 in 2023 amendments).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Malaysia to Chad would see a 4798% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Chad mandates 40 hours while Malaysia mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Chad are $4,309 vs $99 in Malaysia.
See this comparison from Malaysia's perspective: Malaysia vs Chad
Compare Chad with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Chad or Malaysia?
In Chad, the minimum wage is FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD). In Malaysia, it is RM8.72/hr ($2.20 USD). Chad has the higher rate by 4798% 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 Malaysia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Chad compared to Malaysia?
The average gross salary in Chad is FCFA180,000/mo ($323.16 USD), compared to RM4,000/mo ($1,008.83 USD) in Malaysia. In USD terms, workers in Chad earn approximately 212% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Chad and Malaysia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Malaysia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Chad.
How do work hours compare between Chad and Malaysia?
Malaysia has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Chad. Workers in Chad work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Chad 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 Chad and Malaysia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Malaysia has the higher GDP per capita at $38,779, which is 14.1x that of Chad at $2,743. From Chad'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.