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Key Facts: Guyana vs India Wages

Guyana Minimum Wage
G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
India Minimum Wage
₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD)
Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Employment. Central VDA April 2026 update verified via clc.gov.in/clc/min-wages: CPI rose 11.28 points triggering increase in centrally-regulated minimum wages (covers construction, sweeping/cleaning, watch & ward, and other Central Sphere employments). Note: Central VDA does NOT replace state minimum wages — most workers are subject to state-set rates which vary by state and update on different cycles. (2026-05-04)

Guyana flag Guyana India flag India

Updated 2026-05-04

Guyana flag Guyana

Minimum Wage

G$347 /hr

$1.66 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

G$100,000 /mo

India flag India

Minimum Wage

₹4,576 /mo

$48.17 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₹31,900 /mo

Min wage: -97% Guyana vs India Avg. salary: +42% Guyana vs India

The minimum wage in Guyana is roughly 29 times lower than in India in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Guyana at $478/mo compared to $336/mo in India. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guyana is 7.2x that of India, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Guyana has higher GDP per capita ($80,155 vs $11,160). Guyana's unemployment rate is 12.0% compared to India's 4.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Guyana and India
Metric Guyana India
Minimum wage /hr G$347 $1.66
Minimum wage /day ₹176 $1.85
Minimum wage /mo G$60,147 $287.44 ₹4,576 $48.17
Minimum wage /yr ₹54,912 $578.08
Avg. gross salary /mo G$100,000 /mo $477.90 ₹31,900 /mo $335.82
Avg. net salary /mo G$80,000 /mo $382.32 ₹27,500 /mo $289.50
Median individual income /yr G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38 ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11

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.

India

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

Factories Act sets 48 hours/week, 9 hours/day. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. New Labour Codes (when implemented) may standardize at 48 hours across 4-6 day weeks.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Guyana earns 2805% less per hour in USD terms than one in India. Standard work weeks differ: Guyana mandates 40 hours while India mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Guyana are $66 vs $2,312 in India.

See this comparison from India's perspective: India vs Guyana

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Guyana or India?

In Guyana, the minimum wage is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). In India, it is ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD). India has the higher rate by 2805% 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 India?

The average gross salary in Guyana is G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD), compared to ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD) in India. In USD terms, workers in Guyana earn approximately 42% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guyana and India 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 India.

How do work hours compare between Guyana and India?

India has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guyana. Workers in Guyana work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Guyana 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 Guyana and India?

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 7.2x that of India at $11,160. 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.