Key Facts: Cuba vs Democratic Republic of the Congo Wages
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FC884/hr ($0.31 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FC400,000 /mo ($142.35 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / DRC Ministry of Labour / World Bank (2026-02-25)
Cuba 
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Cuba is roughly 11 times lower than in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $16/mo in Cuba versus $142/mo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a 8.8:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 4.4%.
Cuba's unemployment rate is 1.8% compared to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's 4.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cuba | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $MN12.12 $0.03 | FC884 $0.31 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FC7,075 $2.52 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $MN2,100 $5.12 | FC184,950 $65.82 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $MN25,200 $61.46 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 | FC400,000 /mo $142.35 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cuba is higher.
Work Week
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 015-2002) sets standard hours at 9 hours/day for a 5-day week or 7.5 hours/day for a 6-day week, totaling 45 hours/week. Maximum with overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% (day), 150% (night), 200% (Sundays and public holidays). These rules apply only to formal employment. The country observes 6 national public holidays.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Cuba earns 964% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Standard work weeks differ: Cuba mandates 44 hours while the Democratic Republic of the Congo mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Cuba are $1 vs $14 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
See this comparison from Democratic Republic of the Congo's perspective: Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Cuba
Compare Cuba with...
Cuba vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Cuba vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Cuba vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Cuba vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Cuba vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Cuba vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Cuba vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Cuba vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Cuba vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Cuba vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Cuba vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Cuba vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Cuba vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Cuba vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Cuba vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Cuba vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Cuba vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Cuba vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Cuba vs Switzerland 
Cuba vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Cuba vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Cuba vs Sweden 
Cuba vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Cuba vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cuba or Democratic Republic of the Congo?
In Cuba, the minimum wage is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is FC884/hr ($0.31 USD). Democratic Republic of the Congo has the higher rate by 964% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Cuba compared to Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The average gross salary in Cuba is $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD), compared to FC400,000/mo ($142.35 USD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In USD terms, workers in Cuba earn approximately 778% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cuba and Democratic Republic of the Congo is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Cuba and Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Democratic Republic of the Congo has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in Cuba. Workers in Cuba work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Cuba 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.