Key Facts: Cyprus vs Tanzania Wages
- Cyprus Minimum Wage
- €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD)
- Tanzania Minimum Wage
- TZS1,010/hr ($0.38 USD)
- Cyprus Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,200 /mo ($2,562.01 USD)
- Tanzania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TZS650,000 /mo ($244.36 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities; Labour Institutions (Minimum Wage for Private Sector) Order, 2025 — Government Notice No. 605A, gazetted 13 October 2025, eff 1 January 2026 (kazi.go.tz PDF) (2026-05-27)
Cyprus
Tanzania
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Cyprus is roughly 19 times higher than in Tanzania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,562/mo in Cyprus versus $244/mo in Tanzania, a 10.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Cyprus is 14.9x that of Tanzania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Cyprus' perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Cyprus' minimum wage buys more than Tanzania's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Cyprus is $11 international dollars, compared to $1 in Tanzania. Cyprus has higher GDP per capita ($63,007 vs $4,221). Cyprus' unemployment rate is 4.9% compared to Tanzania's 1.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cyprus | Tanzania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €6.28 $7.31 | TZS1,010 $0.38 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | TZS5,833 $2.19 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €1,088 $1,267.03 | TZS175,000 $65.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €13,056 $15,204.38 | TZS2,100,000 $789.47 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,200 /mo $2,562.01 | TZS650,000 /mo $244.36 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 | TZS520,000 /mo $195.49 |
| Median individual income /yr | €17,000 /yr $19,797.37 | TZS2,400,000 /yr $902.26 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cyprus is higher.
Work Week
- Cyprus
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is typically 38-40 hours depending on sector (most common is 40 hours in 5 days). Maximum 48 hours/week averaged over 4 months. Overtime premium depends on collective agreements, typically 50%.
- Tanzania
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment and Labour Relations Act sets ordinary working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or various combinations not exceeding 45). Overtime: 150% of normal rate. Public holiday work: 200%. Maximum overtime is 50 hours in any 4-week cycle. Night work restrictions apply to pregnant women and young persons.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Tanzania to Cyprus would see a 1826% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Cyprus mandates 40 hours while Tanzania mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Cyprus are $293 vs $17 in Tanzania.
See this comparison from Tanzania's perspective: Tanzania vs Cyprus
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cyprus or Tanzania?
In Cyprus, the minimum wage is €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD). In Tanzania, it is TZS1,010/hr ($0.38 USD). Cyprus has the higher rate by 1826% 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 Tanzania may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Cyprus compared to Tanzania?
The average gross salary in Cyprus is €2,200/mo ($2,562.01 USD), compared to TZS650,000/mo ($244.36 USD) in Tanzania. In USD terms, workers in Cyprus earn approximately 948% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cyprus and Tanzania is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Cyprus earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Tanzania.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Cyprus or Tanzania?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Cyprus can afford more than those in Tanzania. The PPP-adjusted rate is $11 in Cyprus and $1 in Tanzania. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 697% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Tanzania appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Cyprus and Tanzania?
Tanzania has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Cyprus. Workers in Cyprus work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Cyprus 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 Cyprus and Tanzania?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Cyprus has the higher GDP per capita at $63,007, which is 14.9x that of Tanzania at $4,221. From Cyprus' perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.