Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs Romania Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- Romania Minimum Wage
- lei24.36/hr ($5.40 USD)
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- Romania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- lei7,200 /mo ($1,596.24 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), Government of Romania (2026-02-24)
Equatorial Guinea
Romania
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 43 times higher than in Romania 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 $1,596/mo in Romania, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Romania is 2.8x that of Equatorial Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Equatorial Guinea has lower GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $49,077). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Romania's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | Romania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | lei24.36 $5.40 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | lei4,050 $897.88 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | lei48,600 $10,774.62 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | lei7,200 /mo $1,596.24 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | lei4,500 /mo $997.65 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | lei40,000 /yr $8,868.00 |
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.
- Romania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.75x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days, maximum 8 hours/day. Overtime premium is at least 75% of base salary. Maximum 48 hours/week including overtime, averaged over a 4-month reference period.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Romania to Equatorial Guinea would see a 4190% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Romania's perspective: Romania vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or Romania?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In Romania, it is lei24.36/hr ($5.40 USD). Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 4190% 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 Romania 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 Romania?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to lei7,200/mo ($1,596.24 USD) in Romania. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 154% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and Romania is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Romania 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 Romania?
Both Equatorial Guinea and Romania 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 Romania?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Romania has the higher GDP per capita at $49,077, which is 2.8x 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.