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Key Facts: India vs Madagascar Wages

India Minimum Wage
₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD)
Madagascar Minimum Wage
Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 USD)
Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
Data Sources
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), Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25)

India flag India Madagascar flag Madagascar

Updated 2026-05-04

India flag India

Minimum Wage

₹4,576 /mo

$48.17 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₹31,900 /mo

Madagascar flag Madagascar

Minimum Wage

Ar1,202 /hr

$0.27 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Ar500,000 /mo

Min wage: +17735% India vs Madagascar Avg. salary: +199% India vs Madagascar

The minimum wage in India is roughly 178 times higher than in Madagascar in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $336/mo in India versus $112/mo in Madagascar, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in India is 5.9x that of Madagascar, underscoring the structural economic divide.

India has higher GDP per capita ($11,160 vs $1,884). India's unemployment rate is 4.2% compared to Madagascar's 3.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between India and Madagascar
Metric India Madagascar
Minimum wage /hr Ar1,202 $0.27
Minimum wage /day ₹176 $1.85 Ar9,615 $2.16
Minimum wage /mo ₹4,576 $48.17 Ar250,000 $56.18
Minimum wage /yr ₹54,912 $578.08 Ar3,000,000 $674.16
Avg. gross salary /mo ₹31,900 /mo $335.82 Ar500,000 /mo $112.36
Avg. net salary /mo ₹27,500 /mo $289.50 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11 Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means India is higher.

Work Week

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.

Madagascar

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.3x pay

Labour Code (Law No. 2003-044) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% of normal rate (for the first 8 hours of overtime per week), then 160% (for subsequent hours), and 200% on Sundays and public holidays. Night work premium applies. EPZ workers may have different arrangements under zone-specific regulations.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Madagascar to India would see a 17735% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: India mandates 48 hours while Madagascar mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in India are $2,312 vs $11 in Madagascar.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in India or Madagascar?

In India, the minimum wage is ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD). In Madagascar, it is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). India has the higher rate by 17735% 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 Madagascar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in India compared to Madagascar?

The average gross salary in India is ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD), compared to Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD) in Madagascar. In USD terms, workers in India earn approximately 199% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between India and Madagascar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in India earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Madagascar.

How do work hours compare between India and Madagascar?

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

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. India has the higher GDP per capita at $11,160, which is 5.9x that of Madagascar at $1,884. From India'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.