Key Facts: Guinea-Bissau vs Ghana Wages
- Guinea-Bissau Minimum Wage
- CFA19,030/mo ($34.17 USD)
- Ghana Minimum Wage
- GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Guinea-Bissau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA95,000 /mo ($170.56 USD)
- Ghana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- GH₵3,500 /mo ($235.69 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (citation [95]) (2026-05-04), Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) / Ministry of Finance (MOFEP) / National Tripartite Committee; 2025-2026 daily rates per official gazettements (2026-05-27)
Guinea-Bissau
Ghana
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Guinea-Bissau is roughly 187 times higher than in Ghana in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Guinea-Bissau at $171/mo compared to $236/mo in Ghana. GDP per capita (PPP) in Ghana is 2.6x that of Guinea-Bissau, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Guinea-Bissau has lower GDP per capita ($3,119 vs $8,020). Guinea-Bissau's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Ghana's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guinea-Bissau | Ghana |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | GH₵2.72 $0.18 |
| Minimum wage /day | CFA761 $1.37 | GH₵21.77 $1.47 |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA19,030 $34.17 | GH₵565.02 $38.05 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | GH₵6,780.24 $456.58 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA95,000 /mo $170.56 | GH₵3,500 /mo $235.69 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | GH₵3,000 /mo $202.02 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | GH₵12,000 /yr $808.08 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Guinea-Bissau is higher.
Work Week
- Guinea-Bissau
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week as the standard. Overtime provisions apply to formal employment. Portuguese is the official language; labour law reflects Lusophone and OHADA traditions.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ghana to Guinea-Bissau would see a 18553% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Ghana's perspective: Ghana vs Guinea-Bissau
Compare Guinea-Bissau with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guinea-Bissau or Ghana?
In Guinea-Bissau, the minimum wage is CFA19,030/mo ($34.17 USD). In Ghana, it is GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD). Guinea-Bissau has the higher rate by 18553% 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 Guinea-Bissau compared to Ghana?
The average gross salary in Guinea-Bissau is CFA95,000/mo ($170.56 USD), compared to GH₵3,500/mo ($235.69 USD) in Ghana. In USD terms, workers in Guinea-Bissau earn approximately 38% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guinea-Bissau and Ghana 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 Guinea-Bissau.
How do work hours compare between Guinea-Bissau and Ghana?
Both Guinea-Bissau and Ghana 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 Guinea-Bissau and Ghana?
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 2.6x that of Guinea-Bissau at $3,119. From Guinea-Bissau'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.