Key Facts: Djibouti vs Madagascar Wages
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Madagascar Minimum Wage
- Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25), Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25)
Djibouti
Madagascar
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Djibouti is roughly 729 times higher than in Madagascar in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $675/mo in Djibouti versus $112/mo in Madagascar, a 6.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Djibouti is 4.1x that of Madagascar, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Djibouti has higher GDP per capita ($7,810 vs $1,884). Djibouti's unemployment rate is 26.0% compared to Madagascar's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Djibouti | Madagascar |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Ar1,202 $0.27 |
| Minimum wage /day | Fdj1,400 $7.88 | Ar9,615 $2.16 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Fdj35,000 $196.94 | Ar250,000 $56.18 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Ar3,000,000 $674.16 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 | Ar500,000 /mo $112.36 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Djibouti is higher.
Work Week
- Djibouti
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Arabic and French are official languages. The labour force is supplemented by a large number of migrant workers from Ethiopia and Somalia.
- Madagascar
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 2003-044) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% of normal rate (for the first 8 hours of overtime per week), then 160% (for subsequent hours), and 200% on Sundays and public holidays. Night work premium applies. EPZ workers may have different arrangements under zone-specific regulations.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Madagascar to Djibouti would see a 72810% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Madagascar's perspective: Madagascar vs Djibouti
Compare Djibouti with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Djibouti or Madagascar?
In Djibouti, the minimum wage is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). In Madagascar, it is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). Djibouti has the higher rate by 72810% 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 Madagascar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Djibouti compared to Madagascar?
The average gross salary in Djibouti is Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD), compared to Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD) in Madagascar. In USD terms, workers in Djibouti earn approximately 501% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Djibouti and Madagascar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Djibouti earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Madagascar.
How do work hours compare between Djibouti and Madagascar?
Both Djibouti and Madagascar 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 Djibouti and Madagascar?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Djibouti has the higher GDP per capita at $7,810, which is 4.1x that of Madagascar at $1,884. From Djibouti's 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.