Key Facts: Guinea-Bissau vs North Macedonia Wages
- Guinea-Bissau Minimum Wage
- CFA19,030/mo ($34.17 USD)
- North Macedonia Minimum Wage
- ден207/hr ($3.95 USD)
- Guinea-Bissau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA95,000 /mo ($170.56 USD)
- North Macedonia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ден55,000 /mo ($1,050.62 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (citation [95]) (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia (2026-02-25)
Guinea-Bissau
North Macedonia
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Guinea-Bissau is roughly 9 times higher than in North Macedonia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $171/mo in Guinea-Bissau versus $1,051/mo in North Macedonia, a 6.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in North Macedonia is 8.7x that of Guinea-Bissau, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Guinea-Bissau has lower GDP per capita ($3,119 vs $26,995). Guinea-Bissau's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to North Macedonia's 12.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guinea-Bissau | North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ден207 $3.95 |
| Minimum wage /day | CFA761 $1.37 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA19,030 $34.17 | ден36,037 $688.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ден432,444 $8,260.63 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA95,000 /mo $170.56 | ден55,000 /mo $1,050.62 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ден38,000 /mo $725.88 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ден264,000 /yr $5,042.98 |
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.
- North Macedonia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Relations Law sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week, up to 190 hours per year. Overtime premium at least 35%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 35%. Work on rest days and holidays at least 50% premium.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from North Macedonia to Guinea-Bissau would see a 764% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from North Macedonia's perspective: North Macedonia vs Guinea-Bissau
Compare Guinea-Bissau with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guinea-Bissau or North Macedonia?
In Guinea-Bissau, the minimum wage is CFA19,030/mo ($34.17 USD). In North Macedonia, it is ден207/hr ($3.95 USD). Guinea-Bissau has the higher rate by 764% 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 North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?
The average gross salary in Guinea-Bissau is CFA95,000/mo ($170.56 USD), compared to ден55,000/mo ($1,050.62 USD) in North Macedonia. In USD terms, workers in Guinea-Bissau earn approximately 516% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guinea-Bissau and North Macedonia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?
Both Guinea-Bissau and North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. North Macedonia has the higher GDP per capita at $26,995, which is 8.7x 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.