Key Facts: Lebanon vs Mauritania Wages
- Lebanon Minimum Wage
- L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD)
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Lebanon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L£27,000,000 /mo ($301.68 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Lebanon (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25)
Lebanon
Mauritania
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Lebanon is roughly 415 times lower than in Mauritania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $302/mo in Lebanon versus $1,625/mo in Mauritania, a 5.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Lebanon is 1.7x that of Mauritania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Lebanon has higher GDP per capita ($12,575 vs $7,369). Lebanon's unemployment rate is 11.0% compared to Mauritania's 10.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lebanon | Mauritania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L£161,600 $1.81 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | UM1,200 $30 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L£28,000,000 $312.85 | UM30,000 $750 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L£336,000,000 $3,754.19 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L£27,000,000 /mo $301.68 | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L£24,000,000 /mo $268.16 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | L£144,000,000 /yr $1,608.94 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Lebanon is higher.
Work Week
- Lebanon
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 150% of normal rate. Overtime on holidays at 200%. In practice, many workers work longer hours due to the economic crisis.
- Mauritania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week, with Friday as the rest day. Arabic is the official language; French widely used in business. Some sectors may observe Thursday–Friday weekends.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Lebanon earns 41438% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mauritania. Standard work weeks differ: Lebanon mandates 48 hours while Mauritania mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Lebanon are $87 vs $30,000 in Mauritania.
See this comparison from Mauritania's perspective: Mauritania vs Lebanon
Compare Lebanon with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lebanon or Mauritania?
In Lebanon, the minimum wage is L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD). In Mauritania, it is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 41438% 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 Lebanon may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Lebanon compared to Mauritania?
The average gross salary in Lebanon is L£27,000,000/mo ($301.68 USD), compared to UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD) in Mauritania. In USD terms, workers in Lebanon earn approximately 439% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lebanon and Mauritania is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mauritania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Lebanon.
How do work hours compare between Lebanon and Mauritania?
Lebanon has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mauritania. Workers in Lebanon work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mauritania 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 Lebanon and Mauritania?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Lebanon has the higher GDP per capita at $12,575, which is 1.7x that of Mauritania at $7,369. From Lebanon'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.