Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs Belize Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-02-25)
Equatorial Guinea
Belize
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 93 times higher than in Belize in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Equatorial Guinea at $628/mo compared to $900/mo in Belize.
Equatorial Guinea has higher GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $14,347). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Belize's 8.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | Belize |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | BZ$5 $2.50 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | BZ$975 $487.50 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | BZ$11,700 $5,850 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Equatorial Guinea is higher.
Work Week
- Equatorial Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Spanish-heritage) sets 40 hours/week standard, 48 hours maximum including overtime. Oil sector may have different contractual arrangements. Spanish and French are official languages.
- Belize
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Belize to Equatorial Guinea would see a 9166% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Equatorial Guinea mandates 40 hours while Belize mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Equatorial Guinea are $9,266 vs $113 in Belize.
See this comparison from Belize's perspective: Belize vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or Belize?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In Belize, it is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 9166% 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 Belize may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Equatorial Guinea compared to Belize?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD) in Belize. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 43% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and Belize is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Belize earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Equatorial Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Equatorial Guinea and Belize?
Belize has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Equatorial Guinea. Workers in Equatorial Guinea work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Equatorial Guinea 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 Equatorial Guinea and Belize?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Equatorial Guinea has the higher GDP per capita at $17,567, which is 1.2x that of Belize at $14,347. From Equatorial Guinea'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.