Key Facts: Guyana vs Mali Wages
- Guyana Minimum Wage
- G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
- Mali Minimum Wage
- CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD)
- Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
- Mali Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25), Mali Ministry of Labour and Civil Service / ILO (2026-02-25)
Guyana
Mali
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Guyana is 380% higher than in Mali when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $478/mo in Guyana versus $215/mo in Mali, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guyana is 24.2x that of Mali, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Guyana's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Guyana's minimum wage buys more than Mali's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Guyana is $4 international dollars, compared to $1 in Mali. Guyana has higher GDP per capita ($80,155 vs $3,315). Guyana's unemployment rate is 12.0% compared to Mali's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Guyana | Mali |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | G$347 $1.66 | CFA192.30 $0.35 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | CFA1,538 $2.76 |
| Minimum wage /mo | G$60,147 $287.44 | CFA40,000 $71.81 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | CFA480,000 $861.76 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | G$100,000 /mo $477.90 | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G$80,000 /mo $382.32 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38 | CFA360,000 /yr $646.32 |
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.
- Mali
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.15x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 92-020 of 23 September 1992, amended) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime rates: 115% for day hours; 130% for hours between 21:00 and 05:00 on weekdays; 150% for Sunday daytime; 200% for night hours on Sundays/holidays. Workers are entitled to 2.5 days of paid leave per month worked (30 days/year). Friday prayers (Jumu'ah) are accommodated — Mali is ~90% Muslim.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Mali to Guyana would see a 380% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Mali's perspective: Mali vs Guyana
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Guyana or Mali?
In Guyana, the minimum wage is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). In Mali, it is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD). Guyana has the higher rate by 380% 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 Mali 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 Mali?
The average gross salary in Guyana is G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Mali. In USD terms, workers in Guyana earn approximately 122% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Guyana and Mali 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 Mali.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Guyana or Mali?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Guyana can afford more than those in Mali. The PPP-adjusted rate is $4 in Guyana and $1 in Mali. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 368% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Mali appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Guyana and Mali?
Both Guyana and Mali 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 Mali?
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 24.2x that of Mali at $3,315. 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.