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Key Facts: Egypt vs India Wages

Egypt Minimum Wage
E£29.17/hr ($0.57 USD)
India Minimum Wage
₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD)
Egypt Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
E£6,833 /mo ($134.51 USD)
India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Manpower / National Wages Council; 2025 and 2026 announcements verified via JETRO citing Egyptian government sources (2026-05-27), Ministry of Labour and Employment. Central VDA April 2026 update verified via clc.gov.in/clc/min-wages: CPI rose 11.28 points triggering increase in centrally-regulated minimum wages (covers construction, sweeping/cleaning, watch & ward, and other Central Sphere employments). Note: Central VDA does NOT replace state minimum wages — most workers are subject to state-set rates which vary by state and update on different cycles. (2026-05-04)

Egypt flag Egypt India flag India

Updated 2026-05-27

Egypt flag Egypt

Minimum Wage

E£29.17 /hr

$0.57 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

E£6,833 /mo

India flag India

Minimum Wage

₹4,576 /mo

$48.17 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₹31,900 /mo

Min wage: -99% Egypt vs India Avg. salary: -60% Egypt vs India

The minimum wage in Egypt is roughly 84 times lower than in India in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $135/mo in Egypt versus $336/mo in India, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Egypt is 1.7x that of India, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Egypt has higher GDP per capita ($19,094 vs $11,160). Egypt's unemployment rate is 6.8% compared to India's 4.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Egypt and India
Metric Egypt India
Minimum wage /hr E£29.17 $0.57
Minimum wage /day ₹176 $1.85
Minimum wage /mo E£7,000 $137.80 ₹4,576 $48.17
Minimum wage /yr E£84,000 $1,653.54 ₹54,912 $578.08
Avg. gross salary /mo E£6,833 /mo $134.51 ₹31,900 /mo $335.82
Avg. net salary /mo E£6,150 /mo $121.06 ₹27,500 /mo $289.50
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Egypt is higher.

Work Week

Egypt

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.35x pay

Labour Law No. 12 of 2003 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week (excluding meal breaks). Overtime premium: 35% during the day, 70% at night. Maximum 2 overtime hours/day. Friday is the default weekly rest day. During Ramadan, working hours are commonly reduced in practice.

India

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

Factories Act sets 48 hours/week, 9 hours/day. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. New Labour Codes (when implemented) may standardize at 48 hours across 4-6 day weeks.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Egypt earns 8289% less per hour in USD terms than one in India.

See this comparison from India's perspective: India vs Egypt

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Egypt or India?

In Egypt, the minimum wage is E£29.17/hr ($0.57 USD). In India, it is ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD). India has the higher rate by 8289% 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 Egypt may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Egypt compared to India?

The average gross salary in Egypt is E£6,833/mo ($134.51 USD), compared to ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD) in India. In USD terms, workers in Egypt earn approximately 150% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Egypt and India is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in India earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Egypt.

How do work hours compare between Egypt and India?

Both Egypt and India mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Egypt and India?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Egypt has the higher GDP per capita at $19,094, which is 1.7x that of India at $11,160. From Egypt'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.