Key Facts: Guyana vs Guinea-Bissau Wages
- Guyana Minimum Wage
- G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
- Guinea-Bissau Minimum Wage
- CFA19,030/mo ($34.17 USD)
- Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
- Guinea-Bissau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA95,000 /mo ($170.56 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25), ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (citation [95]) (2026-05-04)
Guyana
Guinea-Bissau
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Guyana is roughly 21 times lower than in Guinea-Bissau in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $478/mo in Guyana versus $171/mo in Guinea-Bissau, a 2.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guyana is 25.7x that of Guinea-Bissau, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Guyana has higher GDP per capita ($80,155 vs $3,119). Guyana's unemployment rate is 12.0% compared to Guinea-Bissau's 2.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guyana | Guinea-Bissau |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | G$347 $1.66 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | CFA761 $1.37 |
| Minimum wage /mo | G$60,147 $287.44 | CFA19,030 $34.17 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | G$100,000 /mo $477.90 | CFA95,000 /mo $170.56 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G$80,000 /mo $382.32 | N/A/mo |
| 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.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Guyana earns 1960% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guinea-Bissau.
See this comparison from Guinea-Bissau's perspective: Guinea-Bissau vs Guyana
Compare Guyana with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guyana or Guinea-Bissau?
In Guyana, the minimum wage is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). In Guinea-Bissau, it is CFA19,030/mo ($34.17 USD). Guinea-Bissau has the higher rate by 1960% 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 Guinea-Bissau?
The average gross salary in Guyana is G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD), compared to CFA95,000/mo ($170.56 USD) in Guinea-Bissau. In USD terms, workers in Guyana earn approximately 180% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guyana and Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau.
How do work hours compare between Guyana and Guinea-Bissau?
Both Guyana and Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau?
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 25.7x that of Guinea-Bissau at $3,119. 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.