Key Facts: Ghana vs Mexico Wages
- Ghana Minimum Wage
- GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
- Ghana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- GH₵3,500 /mo ($235.69 USD)
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 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), CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02)
Ghana
Mexico
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Ghana is roughly 3020 times lower than in Mexico in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $236/mo in Ghana versus $952/mo in Mexico, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Mexico is 3.3x that of Ghana, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Ghana has lower GDP per capita ($8,020 vs $26,185). Ghana's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Mexico's 2.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Ghana | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | GH₵2.72 $0.18 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | GH₵21.77 $1.47 | MX$315.04 $18.18 |
| Minimum wage /mo | GH₵565.02 $38.05 | MX$9,583.52 $553.10 |
| Minimum wage /yr | GH₵6,780.24 $456.58 | MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | GH₵3,500 /mo $235.69 | MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | GH₵3,000 /mo $202.02 | MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 |
| Median individual income /yr | GH₵12,000 /yr $808.08 | MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 |
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.
- Mexico
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (daytime). Night shift maximum is 42 hours, mixed shift 45 hours. First 9 hours of overtime per week at 200% rate; beyond that at 300%. A 2023 reform discussion to reduce to 40 hours is pending.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Ghana earns 301867% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mexico. Standard work weeks differ: Ghana mandates 40 hours while Mexico mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Ghana are $7 vs $26,549 in Mexico.
See this comparison from Mexico's perspective: Mexico vs Ghana
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Ghana or Mexico?
In Ghana, the minimum wage is GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD). In Mexico, it is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 301867% 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 Mexico?
The average gross salary in Ghana is GH₵3,500/mo ($235.69 USD), compared to MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD) in Mexico. In USD terms, workers in Ghana earn approximately 304% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Ghana and Mexico is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mexico 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 Mexico?
Mexico has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Ghana. Workers in Ghana work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ghana 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 Ghana and Mexico?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mexico has the higher GDP per capita at $26,185, which is 3.3x that of Ghana at $8,020. From Ghana'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.