Key Facts: Madagascar vs Cuba Wages
- Madagascar Minimum Wage
- Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Madagascar 
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Madagascar is roughly 9 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $112/mo in Madagascar versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 6.9:1 ratio.
Madagascar's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Madagascar | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Ar1,202 $0.27 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /day | Ar9,615 $2.16 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Ar250,000 $56.18 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Ar3,000,000 $674.16 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Ar500,000 /mo $112.36 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Madagascar is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Madagascar would see a 814% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Madagascar mandates 40 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Madagascar are $11 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Madagascar
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Madagascar vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Madagascar or Cuba?
In Madagascar, the minimum wage is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Madagascar has the higher rate by 814% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Madagascar compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Madagascar is Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Madagascar earn approximately 593% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Madagascar and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Madagascar earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Madagascar and Cuba?
Cuba has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Madagascar. Workers in Madagascar work 40 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.