Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs Ethiopia Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- Ethiopia Minimum Wage
- ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD)
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- Ethiopia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ETB6,500 /mo ($50.78 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-24)
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 3954 times higher than in Ethiopia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $628/mo in Equatorial Guinea versus $51/mo in Ethiopia, a 12.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Equatorial Guinea is 5.3x that of Ethiopia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Equatorial Guinea has higher GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $3,288). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Ethiopia's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | Ethiopia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ETB7.50 $0.06 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | ETB43.33 $0.34 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | ETB1,300 $10.16 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ETB15,600 $121.88 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | ETB6,500 /mo $50.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ETB5,600 /mo $43.75 |
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.
- Ethiopia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 125% for first 2 hours, 150% for additional hours, 200% for weekends, 250% for public holidays. Night work (10pm-6am) carries a 50% premium. These regulations apply to formal employment relationships only.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ethiopia to Equatorial Guinea would see a 395268% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Equatorial Guinea mandates 40 hours while Ethiopia mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Equatorial Guinea are $9,266 vs $3 in Ethiopia.
See this comparison from Ethiopia's perspective: Ethiopia vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or Ethiopia?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In Ethiopia, it is ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD). Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 395268% 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 Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to ETB6,500/mo ($50.78 USD) in Ethiopia. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 1137% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia.
How do work hours compare between Equatorial Guinea and Ethiopia?
Ethiopia has a longer standard work week at 48 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 Ethiopia?
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 5.3x that of Ethiopia at $3,288. 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.