Key Facts: Guinea vs Zimbabwe Wages
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- Zimbabwe Minimum Wage
- $0.87/hr
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 USD)
- Zimbabwe Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $253 /mo ($253 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25), Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare — Zimbabwe (2026-02-25)
Guinea
Zimbabwe
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Guinea is roughly 59 times higher than in Zimbabwe in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Guinea at $174/mo compared to $253/mo in Zimbabwe. Guinea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.2% compared to 9.3%.
Guinea has lower GDP per capita ($4,565 vs $5,928). Guinea's unemployment rate is 5.2% compared to Zimbabwe's 9.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guinea | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $0.87 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FG440,000 $51.04 | $150 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | $1,800 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 | $253 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | $220 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 | $1,200 /yr |
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.
- Zimbabwe
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act sets maximum working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week). Overtime is limited and must be compensated at 150% of normal rate. Sunday and public holiday work at 200%.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Zimbabwe to Guinea would see a 5767% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Guinea mandates 40 hours while Zimbabwe mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Guinea are $2,042 vs $39 in Zimbabwe.
See this comparison from Zimbabwe's perspective: Zimbabwe vs Guinea
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guinea or Zimbabwe?
In Guinea, the minimum wage is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). In Zimbabwe, it is $0.87/hr. Guinea has the higher rate by 5767% 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 Zimbabwe may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Guinea compared to Zimbabwe?
The average gross salary in Guinea is FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD), compared to $253/mo in Zimbabwe. In USD terms, workers in Guinea earn approximately 45% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guinea and Zimbabwe is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Zimbabwe earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Guinea and Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guinea. Workers in Guinea work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Guinea 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 Guinea and Zimbabwe?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Zimbabwe has the higher GDP per capita at $5,928, which is 1.3x that of Guinea at $4,565. From Guinea'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.