Key Facts: Gambia vs Madagascar Wages
- Gambia Minimum Wage
- D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
- Madagascar Minimum Wage
- Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
- Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
- Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25), Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25)
Gambia
Madagascar
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in the Gambia is roughly 65 times higher than in Madagascar in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are lower in the Gambia at $108/mo compared to $112/mo in Madagascar. GDP per capita (PPP) in Gambia is 1.8x that of Madagascar, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Gambia has higher GDP per capita ($3,476 vs $1,884). The Gambia's unemployment rate is 6.5% compared to Madagascar's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Gambia | Madagascar |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Ar1,202 $0.27 |
| Minimum wage /day | D50 $0.67 | Ar9,615 $2.16 |
| Minimum wage /mo | D1,300 $17.53 | Ar250,000 $56.18 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Ar3,000,000 $674.16 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | D8,000 /mo $107.90 | Ar500,000 /mo $112.36 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Gambia is higher.
Work Week
- Gambia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard working week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime is payable at 1.5x for weekdays and 2x for Sundays and public holidays.
- Madagascar
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 2003-044) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% of normal rate (for the first 8 hours of overtime per week), then 160% (for subsequent hours), and 200% on Sundays and public holidays. Night work premium applies. EPZ workers may have different arrangements under zone-specific regulations.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Madagascar to the Gambia would see a 6392% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Madagascar's perspective: Madagascar vs Gambia
Compare Gambia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Gambia or Madagascar?
In the Gambia, the minimum wage is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). In Madagascar, it is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). Gambia has the higher rate by 6392% 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 Madagascar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Gambia compared to Madagascar?
The average gross salary in the Gambia is D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD), compared to Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD) in Madagascar. In USD terms, workers in the Gambia earn approximately 4% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Gambia and Madagascar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Madagascar earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Gambia.
How do work hours compare between Gambia and Madagascar?
Both Gambia and Madagascar 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 Gambia and Madagascar?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Gambia has the higher GDP per capita at $3,476, which is 1.8x that of Madagascar at $1,884. From the Gambia'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.