Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs Bulgaria Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- Bulgaria Minimum Wage
- лв7.30/hr ($4.40 USD)
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- Bulgaria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- лв2,200 /mo ($1,325.30 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)
Equatorial Guinea
Bulgaria
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 53 times higher than in Bulgaria in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $628/mo in Equatorial Guinea versus $1,325/mo in Bulgaria, a 2.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bulgaria is 2.4x that of Equatorial Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Equatorial Guinea has lower GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $41,969). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Bulgaria's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | Bulgaria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | лв7.30 $4.40 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | лв1,213 $730.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | лв14,556 $8,768.67 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | лв2,200 /mo $1,325.30 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | лв1,720 /mo $1,036.14 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | лв14,400 /yr $8,674.70 |
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.
- Bulgaria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime premium: 50% for weekdays, 75% for weekends, 100% for public holidays. Annual overtime limit of 150 hours.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Bulgaria to Equatorial Guinea would see a 5168% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Bulgaria's perspective: Bulgaria vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or Bulgaria?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In Bulgaria, it is лв7.30/hr ($4.40 USD). Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 5168% 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 Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to лв2,200/mo ($1,325.30 USD) in Bulgaria. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 111% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and Bulgaria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria?
Both Equatorial Guinea and Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bulgaria has the higher GDP per capita at $41,969, which is 2.4x that of Equatorial Guinea at $17,567. From Equatorial Guinea's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.