Key Facts: Libya vs Madagascar Wages
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Madagascar Minimum Wage
- Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25)
Libya
Madagascar
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Libya is roughly 343 times higher than in Madagascar in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $370/mo in Libya versus $112/mo in Madagascar, a 3.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Libya is 7.6x that of Madagascar, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Libya has higher GDP per capita ($14,304 vs $1,884). Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Madagascar's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Libya | Madagascar |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Ar1,202 $0.27 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Ar9,615 $2.16 |
| Minimum wage /mo | LD450 $92.59 | Ar250,000 $56.18 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Ar3,000,000 $674.16 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 | Ar500,000 /mo $112.36 |
| Median individual income /yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 | Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 |
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.
- 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 Libya would see a 34179% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Libya mandates 48 hours while Madagascar mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Libya are $4,444 vs $11 in Madagascar.
See this comparison from Madagascar's perspective: Madagascar vs Libya
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Madagascar?
In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Madagascar, it is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 34179% 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 Libya compared to Madagascar?
The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD) in Madagascar. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 230% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Madagascar is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Libya earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Madagascar.
How do work hours compare between Libya and Madagascar?
Libya has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Madagascar. Workers in Libya 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 Libya and Madagascar?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Libya has the higher GDP per capita at $14,304, which is 7.6x that of Madagascar at $1,884. From Libya'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.