Key Facts: Cuba vs North Macedonia Wages
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- North Macedonia Minimum Wage
- ден207/hr ($3.95 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- North Macedonia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ден55,000 /mo ($1,050.62 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia (2026-02-25)
Cuba
North Macedonia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Cuba is roughly 134 times lower than in North Macedonia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $16/mo in Cuba versus $1,051/mo in North Macedonia, a 64.8:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 12.3%.
Cuba's unemployment rate is 1.8% compared to North Macedonia's 12.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cuba | North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $MN12.12 $0.03 | ден207 $3.95 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $MN2,100 $5.12 | ден36,037 $688.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $MN25,200 $61.46 | ден432,444 $8,260.63 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 | ден55,000 /mo $1,050.62 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 | ден38,000 /mo $725.88 |
| Median individual income /yr | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 | ден264,000 /yr $5,042.98 |
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.
- North Macedonia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Relations Law sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week, up to 190 hours per year. Overtime premium at least 35%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 35%. Work on rest days and holidays at least 50% premium.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Cuba earns 13276% less per hour in USD terms than one in North Macedonia. Standard work weeks differ: Cuba mandates 44 hours while North Macedonia mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Cuba are $1 vs $158 in North Macedonia.
See this comparison from North Macedonia's perspective: North Macedonia vs Cuba
Compare Cuba with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cuba or North Macedonia?
In Cuba, the minimum wage is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). In North Macedonia, it is ден207/hr ($3.95 USD). North Macedonia has the higher rate by 13276% 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 North Macedonia?
The average gross salary in Cuba is $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD), compared to ден55,000/mo ($1,050.62 USD) in North Macedonia. In USD terms, workers in Cuba earn approximately 6378% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cuba and North Macedonia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?
Cuba has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in North Macedonia. Workers in Cuba work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in North Macedonia 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.