Key Facts: Ecuador vs Niger Wages
- Ecuador Minimum Wage
- $1.96/hr
- Niger Minimum Wage
- CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
- Ecuador Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $650 /mo ($650 USD)
- Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio del Trabajo — Ecuador; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-01-01) (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25)
Ecuador
Niger
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Ecuador is roughly 28 times lower than in Niger in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $650/mo in Ecuador versus $215/mo in Niger, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Ecuador is 7.7x that of Niger, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Ecuador has higher GDP per capita ($15,840 vs $2,050). Ecuador's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Niger's 0.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Ecuador | Niger |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $1.96 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | $470 | CFA30,047 $53.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $6,580 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $650 /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $585 /mo | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | $4,800 /yr | CFA150,000 /yr $269.30 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Ecuador is higher.
Work Week
- Ecuador
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Código del Trabajo sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime (horas suplementarias) is paid at 50% premium for day hours and 100% premium for night hours (7pm-6am) and weekends/holidays. Maximum 4 hours of overtime per day, 12 hours per week. Night work (7pm-6am) has a 25% surcharge even within regular hours.
- Niger
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply only to the small formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Ecuador earns 2652% less per hour in USD terms than one in Niger.
See this comparison from Niger's perspective: Niger vs Ecuador
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Ecuador or Niger?
In Ecuador, the minimum wage is $1.96/hr. In Niger, it is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). Niger has the higher rate by 2652% 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 Ecuador may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Ecuador compared to Niger?
The average gross salary in Ecuador is $650/mo, compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Niger. In USD terms, workers in Ecuador earn approximately 202% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Ecuador and Niger is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ecuador earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Niger.
How do work hours compare between Ecuador and Niger?
Both Ecuador and Niger 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 Ecuador and Niger?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Ecuador has the higher GDP per capita at $15,840, which is 7.7x that of Niger at $2,050. From Ecuador'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.