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Key Facts: Ghana vs Niger Wages

Ghana Minimum Wage
GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD)
Niger Minimum Wage
CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD)
Ghana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
GH₵3,500 /mo ($235.69 USD)
Niger Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 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), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Niger) (2026-02-25)

Ghana flag Ghana Niger flag Niger

Updated 2026-05-27

Ghana flag Ghana

Minimum Wage

GH₵2.72 /hr

$0.18 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

GH₵3,500 /mo

Niger flag Niger

Minimum Wage

CFA30,047 /mo

$53.94 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA120,000 /mo

Min wage: -100% Ghana vs Niger Avg. salary: +9% Ghana vs Niger

The minimum wage in Ghana is roughly 295 times lower than in Niger in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Ghana at $236/mo compared to $215/mo in Niger. GDP per capita (PPP) in Ghana is 3.9x that of Niger, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Ghana has higher GDP per capita ($8,020 vs $2,050). Ghana's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Niger's 0.4%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Ghana and Niger
Metric Ghana Niger
Minimum wage /hr GH₵2.72 $0.18
Minimum wage /day GH₵21.77 $1.47
Minimum wage /mo GH₵565.02 $38.05 CFA30,047 $53.94
Minimum wage /yr GH₵6,780.24 $456.58
Avg. gross salary /mo GH₵3,500 /mo $235.69 CFA120,000 /mo $215.44
Avg. net salary /mo GH₵3,000 /mo $202.02 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr GH₵12,000 /yr $808.08 CFA150,000 /yr $269.30

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.

Niger

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply only to the small formal sector.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Ghana earns 29351% less per hour in USD terms than one in Niger.

See this comparison from Niger's perspective: Niger vs Ghana

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Ghana or Niger?

In Ghana, the minimum wage is GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD). In Niger, it is CFA30,047/mo ($53.94 USD). Niger has the higher rate by 29351% 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 more does the average worker earn in Ghana compared to Niger?

The average gross salary in Ghana is GH₵3,500/mo ($235.69 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Niger. In USD terms, workers in Ghana earn approximately 9% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Ghana and Niger is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ghana earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Niger.

How do work hours compare between Ghana and Niger?

Both Ghana and Niger 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 Niger?

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 3.9x that of Niger at $2,050. 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.