Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs Portugal Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- Portugal Minimum Wage
- €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD)
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- Portugal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,550 /mo ($1,805.05 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), Government of Portugal (Governo de Portugal); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)
Equatorial Guinea
Portugal
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 37 times higher than in Portugal in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $628/mo in Equatorial Guinea versus $1,805/mo in Portugal, a 2.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Portugal is 2.9x that of Equatorial Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Equatorial Guinea has lower GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $51,680). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Portugal's 6.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | €5.31 $6.18 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | €920 $1,071.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | €12,880 $14,999.42 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | €1,550 /mo $1,805.05 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €1,150 /mo $1,339.23 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €14,000 /yr $16,303.71 |
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.
- Portugal
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Labour Code). The first hour of overtime on a working day is paid at 125%, subsequent hours at 137.5%. Overtime on rest days and public holidays is paid at 150%. Maximum 150 hours of overtime per year (can be increased to 200 by collective agreement). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Portugal to Equatorial Guinea would see a 3646% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Portugal's perspective: Portugal vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or Portugal?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In Portugal, it is €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD). Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 3646% 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 Portugal 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 Portugal?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to €1,550/mo ($1,805.05 USD) in Portugal. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 187% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and Portugal is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Portugal 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 Portugal?
Both Equatorial Guinea and Portugal 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 Portugal?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Portugal has the higher GDP per capita at $51,680, which is 2.9x 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.