Key Facts: Haiti vs Malawi Wages
- Haiti Minimum Wage
- G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD)
- Malawi Minimum Wage
- MK240.40/hr ($0.14 USD)
- Haiti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G25,000 /mo ($187.97 USD)
- Malawi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MK120,000 /mo ($69.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- Haitian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) / ILO (2026-02-25), Malawi Ministry of Labour / Minimum Wages Board / ILO (2026-02-25)
Haiti
Malawi
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Haiti is roughly 929 times higher than in Malawi in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $188/mo in Haiti versus $69/mo in Malawi, a 2.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Haiti is 1.7x that of Malawi, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Haiti has higher GDP per capita ($3,194 vs $1,858). Haiti's unemployment rate is 14.9% compared to Malawi's 5.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Haiti | Malawi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | MK240.40 $0.14 |
| Minimum wage /day | G685 $5.15 | MK1,923 $1.11 |
| Minimum wage /mo | G17,125 $128.76 | MK50,000 $28.82 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | MK600,000 $345.82 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | G25,000 /mo $187.97 | MK120,000 /mo $69.16 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G23,000 /mo $172.93 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | G72,000 /yr $541.35 | MK360,000 /yr $207.49 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Haiti is higher.
Work Week
- Haiti
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Haiti Labour Code sets 48 hours as the standard workweek (8 hours/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 56 hours. Overtime paid at 1.5x the regular rate. In practice, enforcement is very limited and informal workers have no effective protection.
- Malawi
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act (Cap 55:02) sets maximum ordinary working hours at 48 per week (8 hrs/day, 6 days) or 45 hours over 5 days. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Night work (6pm–6am) attracts a premium. Public holidays are compensated at double time if worked. Workers are entitled to 15 days of paid annual leave after 12 months.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Malawi to Haiti would see a 92827% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Malawi's perspective: Malawi vs Haiti
Compare Haiti with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Haiti or Malawi?
In Haiti, the minimum wage is G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD). In Malawi, it is MK240.40/hr ($0.14 USD). Haiti has the higher rate by 92827% 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 Malawi may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Haiti compared to Malawi?
The average gross salary in Haiti is G25,000/mo ($187.97 USD), compared to MK120,000/mo ($69.16 USD) in Malawi. In USD terms, workers in Haiti earn approximately 172% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Haiti and Malawi is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Haiti earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Malawi.
How do work hours compare between Haiti and Malawi?
Both Haiti and Malawi mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Haiti and Malawi?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Haiti has the higher GDP per capita at $3,194, which is 1.7x that of Malawi at $1,858. From Haiti'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.