Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs Colombia Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- Colombia Minimum Wage
- COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), Ministerio del Trabajo y Seguridad Social; 2026 SMLMV per Decretos 1469 y 1470 de 2025 + Decreto 0159 de 2026 (auxilio de transporte) (2026-05-27)
Equatorial Guinea
Colombia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 131 times higher than in Colombia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Equatorial Guinea at $628/mo compared to $533/mo in Colombia.
Equatorial Guinea has lower GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $22,349). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Colombia's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | COP7,295.44 $1.77 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | COP1,750,905 $423.95 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | COP22,761,765 $5,511.32 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 |
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.
- Colombia
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Colombia is reducing the workweek from 48 to 42 hours under Ley 2101 de 2021 in annual steps. As of 2026-01-01, the maximum is 44 hours/week. The final step (44h → 42h) takes effect July 2026. Daytime overtime: 25% premium. Night overtime: 75% premium. Sunday/holiday work: 75% premium (175% if also overtime).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Colombia to Equatorial Guinea would see a 13014% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Equatorial Guinea mandates 40 hours while Colombia mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Equatorial Guinea are $9,266 vs $78 in Colombia.
See this comparison from Colombia's perspective: Colombia vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or Colombia?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In Colombia, it is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 13014% 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 Colombia 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 Colombia?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD) in Colombia. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 18% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and Colombia 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 Colombia.
How do work hours compare between Equatorial Guinea and Colombia?
Colombia has a longer standard work week at 44 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 Colombia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Colombia has the higher GDP per capita at $22,349, which is 1.3x 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.