Key Facts: Guyana vs Afghanistan Wages
- Guyana Minimum Wage
- G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
- Afghanistan Minimum Wage
- ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD)
- Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
- Afghanistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ؋30,000 /mo ($474.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25), ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (2026-05-04)
Guyana
Afghanistan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Guyana is roughly 52 times lower than in Afghanistan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Guyana at $478/mo compared to $475/mo in Afghanistan. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guyana is 36.4x that of Afghanistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Guyana has higher GDP per capita ($80,155 vs $2,202). Guyana's unemployment rate is 12.0% compared to Afghanistan's 13.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guyana | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | G$347 $1.66 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | G$60,147 $287.44 | ؋5,500 $87.05 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | G$100,000 /mo $477.90 | ؋30,000 /mo $474.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G$80,000 /mo $382.32 | ؋26,000 /mo $411.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Guyana is higher.
Work Week
- Guyana
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate on weekdays and 2x on public holidays. Governed by the Labour Act. Some sectors (sugar, mining) may have different arrangements through collective agreements.
- Afghanistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (last version under previous government) set 40 hours/week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Under Taliban administration, Thursday is sometimes also observed as a rest day. Women's employment is severely restricted under Taliban policies.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Guyana earns 5150% less per hour in USD terms than one in Afghanistan.
See this comparison from Afghanistan's perspective: Afghanistan vs Guyana
Compare Guyana with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guyana or Afghanistan?
In Guyana, the minimum wage is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). In Afghanistan, it is ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD). Afghanistan has the higher rate by 5150% 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 Guyana may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Guyana compared to Afghanistan?
The average gross salary in Guyana is G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD), compared to ؋30,000/mo ($474.83 USD) in Afghanistan. In USD terms, workers in Guyana earn approximately 1% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guyana and Afghanistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Guyana earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Afghanistan.
How do work hours compare between Guyana and Afghanistan?
Both Guyana and Afghanistan 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 Guyana and Afghanistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Guyana has the higher GDP per capita at $80,155, which is 36.4x that of Afghanistan at $2,202. From Guyana'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.