Key Facts: Equatorial Guinea vs Spain Wages
- Equatorial Guinea Minimum Wage
- FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD)
- Spain Minimum Wage
- €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD)
- Equatorial Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA350,000 /mo ($628.37 USD)
- Spain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,450 /mo ($2,853.15 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministerio de Trabajo de Guinea Ecuatorial (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social (2026-03-02)
Equatorial Guinea
Spain
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Equatorial Guinea is roughly 25 times higher than in Spain 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 $2,853/mo in Spain, a 4.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Spain is 3.3x that of Equatorial Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Equatorial Guinea has lower GDP per capita ($17,567 vs $57,965). Equatorial Guinea's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Spain's 10.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Equatorial Guinea | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | €7.96 $9.27 |
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA5,161 $9.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA129,035 $231.66 | €1,221 $1,421.92 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | €17,094 $19,906.84 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA350,000 /mo $628.37 | €2,450 /mo $2,853.15 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €1,900 /mo $2,212.65 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €22,000 /yr $25,620.12 |
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.
- Spain
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Workers' Statute, Article 34). Maximum 80 hours of overtime per year. Overtime compensation is set by collective agreement or individual contract, with a minimum of regular hourly rate or equivalent time off. EU Working Time Directive caps average weekly hours at 48.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Spain to Equatorial Guinea would see a 2399% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Spain's perspective: Spain vs Equatorial Guinea
Compare Equatorial Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Equatorial Guinea or Spain?
In Equatorial Guinea, the minimum wage is FCFA129,035/mo ($231.66 USD). In Spain, it is €7.96/hr ($9.27 USD). Equatorial Guinea has the higher rate by 2399% 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 Spain 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 Spain?
The average gross salary in Equatorial Guinea is FCFA350,000/mo ($628.37 USD), compared to €2,450/mo ($2,853.15 USD) in Spain. In USD terms, workers in Equatorial Guinea earn approximately 354% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Equatorial Guinea and Spain is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Spain 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 Spain?
Both Equatorial Guinea and Spain 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 Spain?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Spain has the higher GDP per capita at $57,965, which is 3.3x 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.