Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs Benin Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- Benin Minimum Wage
- CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD)
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- Benin Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Public Service / ILO (2026-02-25)
Equatorial Guinea
Benin
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 430 times higher than in Benin in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $628/mo in Equatorial Guinea versus $215/mo in Benin, a 2.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Equatorial Guinea is 4.0x that of Benin, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Equatorial Guinea has higher GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $4,435). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Benin's 1.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | Benin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CFA300 $0.54 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | CFA52,000 $93.36 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | CFA624,000 $1,120.29 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | CFA100,000 /mo $179.53 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | CFA480,000 /yr $861.76 |
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.
- Benin
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.12x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours for non-agricultural sectors (48 hours for agriculture). Overtime from 41-48 hours paid at 112% of normal rate; hours exceeding 48 paid at 135%. Night work and weekend overtime carry higher premiums.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Benin to Equatorial Guinea would see a 42912% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Benin's perspective: Benin vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or Benin?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In Benin, it is CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD). Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 42912% 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 Benin may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Equatorial Guinea compared to Benin?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Benin. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 192% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and Benin is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Equatorial Guinea earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Benin.
How do work hours compare between Equatorial Guinea and Benin?
Both Equatorial Guinea and Benin 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 Equatorial Guinea and Benin?
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 4.0x that of Benin at $4,435. 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.