Key Facts: Libya vs Macau Wages
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Macau Minimum Wage
- MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Macau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MOP$18,000 /mo ($2,233.25 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) — Macau SAR (2026-02-25)
Libya
Macau
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Libya is roughly 21 times higher than in Macau in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $370/mo in Libya versus $2,233/mo in Macau, a 6.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Macau is 8.9x that of Libya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Libya has lower GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $126,960). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Macau's 2.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Libya | Macau |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | MOP$35 $4.34 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | MOP$280 $34.74 |
| Minimum wage /mo | LD450 $92.59 | MOP$7,280 $903.23 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | MOP$87,360 $10,838.71 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 | MOP$18,000 /mo $2,233.25 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | MOP$16,560 /mo $2,054.59 |
| Median individual income /yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 | MOP$216,000 /yr $26,799.01 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Libya is higher.
Work Week
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
- Macau
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Maximum working hours are 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Relations Law (Law No. 7/2008). Overtime is not explicitly regulated by multiplier in law but must be compensated fairly. In practice, most employers pay 1.5x for overtime. Casino workers often work in shifts. The government sector works shorter hours (typically 36 hours/week).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Macau to Libya would see a 2032% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Macau's perspective: Macau vs Libya
Compare Libya with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Macau?
In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Macau, it is MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 2032% 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 Macau may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Libya compared to Macau?
The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to MOP$18,000/mo ($2,233.25 USD) in Macau. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 503% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Macau is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Macau earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Libya.
How do work hours compare between Libya and Macau?
Both Libya and Macau 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 Libya and Macau?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Macau has the higher GDP per capita at $126,960, which is 8.9x that of Libya at $14,304. From Libya'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.