Key Facts: Chad vs New Zealand Wages
- Chad Minimum Wage
- FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD)
- New Zealand Minimum Wage
- NZ$23.50/hr ($13.99 USD)
- Chad Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA180,000 /mo ($323.16 USD)
- New Zealand Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NZ$5,666.67 /mo ($3,374.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et du Dialogue Social (Chad) (2026-02-25), Employment New Zealand / Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (2026-03-02)
Chad
New Zealand
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Chad is roughly 8 times higher than in New Zealand in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $323/mo in Chad versus $3,374/mo in New Zealand, a 10.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in New Zealand is 20.3x that of Chad, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Chad has lower GDP per capita ($2,743 vs $55,551). Chad's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to New Zealand's 5.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chad | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | NZ$23.50 $13.99 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA60,000 $107.72 | NZ$4,073.83 $2,425.77 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | NZ$48,880 $29,105.63 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA180,000 /mo $323.16 | NZ$5,666.67 /mo $3,374.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | NZ$4,533.33 /mo $2,699.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA180,000 /yr $323.16 | NZ$61,828 /yr $36,815.53 |
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.
- New Zealand
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Overtime : 1.5x pay
No statutory maximum working hours, but employers must ensure reasonable working hours. Most employment agreements specify 40 hours/week. Overtime rates not mandated by statute but commonly 1.5x by agreement. Time-and-a-half and a day in lieu required for work on public holidays.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from New Zealand to Chad would see a 670% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from New Zealand's perspective: New Zealand vs Chad
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Chad or New Zealand?
In Chad, the minimum wage is FCFA60,000/mo ($107.72 USD). In New Zealand, it is NZ$23.50/hr ($13.99 USD). Chad has the higher rate by 670% 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 New Zealand 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 New Zealand?
The average gross salary in Chad is FCFA180,000/mo ($323.16 USD), compared to NZ$5,666.67/mo ($3,374.22 USD) in New Zealand. In USD terms, workers in Chad earn approximately 944% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Chad and New Zealand is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in New Zealand 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 New Zealand?
Both Chad and New Zealand mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Chad and New Zealand?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. New Zealand has the higher GDP per capita at $55,551, which is 20.3x 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.