Key Facts: Haiti vs Romania Wages
- Haiti Minimum Wage
- G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD)
- Romania Minimum Wage
- lei24.36/hr ($5.40 USD)
- Haiti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G25,000 /mo ($187.97 USD)
- Romania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- lei7,200 /mo ($1,596.24 USD)
- Data Sources
- Haitian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) / ILO (2026-02-25), Government of Romania (2026-02-24)
Haiti
Romania
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Haiti is roughly 24 times higher than in Romania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $188/mo in Haiti versus $1,596/mo in Romania, a 8.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Romania is 15.4x that of Haiti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Haiti has lower GDP per capita ($3,194 vs $49,077). Haiti's unemployment rate is 14.9% compared to Romania's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Haiti | Romania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | lei24.36 $5.40 |
| Minimum wage /day | G685 $5.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | G17,125 $128.76 | lei4,050 $897.88 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | lei48,600 $10,774.62 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | G25,000 /mo $187.97 | lei7,200 /mo $1,596.24 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | G23,000 /mo $172.93 | lei4,500 /mo $997.65 |
| Median individual income /yr | G72,000 /yr $541.35 | lei40,000 /yr $8,868.00 |
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.
- Romania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.75x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days, maximum 8 hours/day. Overtime premium is at least 75% of base salary. Maximum 48 hours/week including overtime, averaged over a 4-month reference period.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Romania to Haiti would see a 2284% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Haiti mandates 48 hours while Romania mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Haiti are $6,180 vs $216 in Romania.
See this comparison from Romania's perspective: Romania vs Haiti
Compare Haiti with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Haiti or Romania?
In Haiti, the minimum wage is G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD). In Romania, it is lei24.36/hr ($5.40 USD). Haiti has the higher rate by 2284% 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 Romania may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Haiti compared to Romania?
The average gross salary in Haiti is G25,000/mo ($187.97 USD), compared to lei7,200/mo ($1,596.24 USD) in Romania. In USD terms, workers in Haiti earn approximately 749% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Haiti and Romania is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Romania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Haiti.
How do work hours compare between Haiti and Romania?
Haiti has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Romania. Workers in Haiti work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Romania 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 Haiti and Romania?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Romania has the higher GDP per capita at $49,077, which is 15.4x that of Haiti at $3,194. From Haiti's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.