Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs Iraq Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- Iraq Minimum Wage
- ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD)
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- Iraq Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ع.د700,000 /mo ($536.40 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-25)
Equatorial Guinea
Iraq
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 166 times higher than in Iraq 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 $536/mo in Iraq. Equatorial Guinea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 8.3% compared to 15.5%.
Equatorial Guinea has higher GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $14,464). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Iraq's 15.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ع.د1,823 $1.40 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | ع.د14,583 $11.17 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | ع.د350,000 $268.20 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ع.د4,200,000 $3,218.39 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | ع.د700,000 /mo $536.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ع.د3,360,000 /yr $2,574.71 |
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.
- Iraq
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 per day / 48 per week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Work on official holidays is paid at 200%. Ramadan working hours are reduced. Public sector employees typically work ~40 hours/week in practice.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Iraq to Equatorial Guinea would see a 16483% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Equatorial Guinea mandates 40 hours while Iraq mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Equatorial Guinea are $9,266 vs $67 in Iraq.
See this comparison from Iraq's perspective: Iraq vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or Iraq?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In Iraq, it is ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD). Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 16483% 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 Iraq 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 Iraq?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to ع.د700,000/mo ($536.40 USD) in Iraq. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 17% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and Iraq 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 Iraq.
How do work hours compare between Equatorial Guinea and Iraq?
Iraq 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 Iraq?
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 Iraq at $14,464. 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.