Key Facts: Guinea vs Madagascar Wages
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- Madagascar Minimum Wage
- Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 USD)
- Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25), Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25)
Guinea
Madagascar
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Guinea is roughly 189 times higher than in Madagascar in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Guinea at $174/mo compared to $112/mo in Madagascar. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guinea is 2.4x that of Madagascar, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Guinea has higher GDP per capita ($4,565 vs $1,884). Guinea's unemployment rate is 5.2% compared to Madagascar's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guinea | Madagascar |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Ar1,202 $0.27 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Ar9,615 $2.16 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FG440,000 $51.04 | Ar250,000 $56.18 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Ar3,000,000 $674.16 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 | Ar500,000 /mo $112.36 |
| Median individual income /yr | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 | Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Guinea is higher.
Work Week
- Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week for formal-sector employees. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for weekday hours, 2x for work on rest days. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
- Madagascar
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 2003-044) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% of normal rate (for the first 8 hours of overtime per week), then 160% (for subsequent hours), and 200% on Sundays and public holidays. Night work premium applies. EPZ workers may have different arrangements under zone-specific regulations.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Madagascar to Guinea would see a 18797% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Madagascar's perspective: Madagascar vs Guinea
Compare Guinea with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guinea or Madagascar?
In Guinea, the minimum wage is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). In Madagascar, it is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). Guinea has the higher rate by 18797% 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 Madagascar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Guinea compared to Madagascar?
The average gross salary in Guinea is FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD), compared to Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD) in Madagascar. In USD terms, workers in Guinea earn approximately 55% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guinea and Madagascar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Guinea earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Madagascar.
How do work hours compare between Guinea and Madagascar?
Both Guinea and Madagascar 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 and Madagascar?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Guinea has the higher GDP per capita at $4,565, which is 2.4x that of Madagascar at $1,884. From Guinea'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.