Key Facts: Ghana vs Afghanistan Wages
- Ghana Minimum Wage
- GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Afghanistan Minimum Wage
- ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD)
- Ghana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- GH₵3,500 /mo ($235.69 USD)
- Afghanistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ؋30,000 /mo ($474.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) / Ministry of Finance (MOFEP) / National Tripartite Committee; 2025-2026 daily rates per official gazettements (2026-05-27), ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (2026-05-04)
Ghana
Afghanistan
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Ghana is roughly 475 times lower than in Afghanistan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $236/mo in Ghana versus $475/mo in Afghanistan, a 2.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Ghana is 3.6x that of Afghanistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Ghana has higher GDP per capita ($8,020 vs $2,202). Ghana's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Afghanistan's 13.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Ghana | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | GH₵2.72 $0.18 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | GH₵21.77 $1.47 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | GH₵565.02 $38.05 | ؋5,500 $87.05 |
| Minimum wage /yr | GH₵6,780.24 $456.58 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | GH₵3,500 /mo $235.69 | ؋30,000 /mo $474.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | GH₵3,000 /mo $202.02 | ؋26,000 /mo $411.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | GH₵12,000 /yr $808.08 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Ghana is higher.
Work Week
- Ghana
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime must be paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on rest days or public holidays at 2x.
- Afghanistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (last version under previous government) set 40 hours/week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Under Taliban administration, Thursday is sometimes also observed as a rest day. Women's employment is severely restricted under Taliban policies.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Ghana earns 47427% less per hour in USD terms than one in Afghanistan.
See this comparison from Afghanistan's perspective: Afghanistan vs Ghana
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Ghana or Afghanistan?
In Ghana, the minimum wage is GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD). In Afghanistan, it is ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD). Afghanistan has the higher rate by 47427% 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 Ghana may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Ghana compared to Afghanistan?
The average gross salary in Ghana is GH₵3,500/mo ($235.69 USD), compared to ؋30,000/mo ($474.83 USD) in Afghanistan. In USD terms, workers in Ghana earn approximately 101% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Ghana and Afghanistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Afghanistan earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Ghana.
How do work hours compare between Ghana and Afghanistan?
Both Ghana and Afghanistan 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 Ghana and Afghanistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Ghana has the higher GDP per capita at $8,020, which is 3.6x that of Afghanistan at $2,202. From Ghana'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.