Key Facts: Gabon vs Macau Wages
- Gabon Minimum Wage
- FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD)
- Macau Minimum Wage
- MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD)
- Gabon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA555,000 /mo ($996.41 USD)
- Macau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MOP$18,000 /mo ($2,233.25 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment and Vocational Training / Labour Code of Gabon (2026-02-25), Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) — Macau SAR (2026-02-25)
Gabon
Macau
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Gabon is 64% lower than in Macau in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $996/mo in Gabon versus $2,233/mo in Macau, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Macau is 5.9x that of Gabon, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Gabon's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Gabon's minimum wage buys less than Macau's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Gabon is $4 international dollars, compared to $8 in Macau. Gabon has lower GDP per capita ($21,510 vs $126,960). Gabon's unemployment rate is 20.1% compared to Macau's 2.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gabon | Macau |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FCFA865.38 $1.55 | MOP$35 $4.34 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | MOP$280 $34.74 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA150,000 $269.30 | MOP$7,280 $903.23 |
| Minimum wage /yr | FCFA1,800,000 $3,231.60 | MOP$87,360 $10,838.71 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA555,000 /mo $996.41 | MOP$18,000 /mo $2,233.25 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | FCFA430,000 /mo $771.99 | MOP$16,560 /mo $2,054.59 |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA2,400,000 /yr $4,308.80 | MOP$216,000 /yr $26,799.01 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Gabon is higher.
Work Week
- Gabon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime capped at 20 hours/week, permitted only for exceptional, urgent, or seasonal work. Weekday overtime at 125% of normal rate; Sundays/public holidays at 150-200%. Employees entitled to 10 consecutive hours of daily rest and one full day of weekly rest (usually Sunday). Governed by the Labour Code (Code du Travail).
- Macau
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Maximum working hours are 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Relations Law (Law No. 7/2008). Overtime is not explicitly regulated by multiplier in law but must be compensated fairly. In practice, most employers pay 1.5x for overtime. Casino workers often work in shifts. The government sector works shorter hours (typically 36 hours/week).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Gabon earns 179% less per hour in USD terms than one in Macau. Standard work weeks differ: Gabon mandates 40 hours while Macau mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Gabon are $62 vs $208 in Macau.
See this comparison from Macau's perspective: Macau vs Gabon
Compare Gabon with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gabon or Macau?
In Gabon, the minimum wage is FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD). In Macau, it is MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD). Macau has the higher rate by 179% 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 Gabon may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Gabon compared to Macau?
The average gross salary in Gabon is FCFA555,000/mo ($996.41 USD), compared to MOP$18,000/mo ($2,233.25 USD) in Macau. In USD terms, workers in Gabon earn approximately 124% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gabon and Macau is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Macau earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Gabon.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Gabon or Macau?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Macau can afford more than those in Gabon. The PPP-adjusted rate is $4 in Gabon and $8 in Macau. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 106% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Gabon appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Gabon and Macau?
Macau has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Gabon. Workers in Gabon work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Gabon 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 Gabon and Macau?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Macau has the higher GDP per capita at $126,960, which is 5.9x that of Gabon at $21,510. From Gabon'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.