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Key Facts: Madagascar vs Denmark Wages

Madagascar Minimum Wage
Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
Denmark Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
Denmark Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
kr45,000 /mo ($7,012.19 USD)
Data Sources
Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25), Danish Ministry of Employment (2026-02-24)

Madagascar flag Madagascar Denmark flag Denmark

Updated 2026-02-25

Madagascar flag Madagascar

Minimum Wage

Ar1,202 /hr

$0.27 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Ar500,000 /mo

Denmark flag Denmark

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr45,000 /mo

Avg. salary: -98% Madagascar vs Denmark

Unlike Denmark, which has no statutory minimum wage, Madagascar mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $112/mo in Madagascar versus $7,012/mo in Denmark, a 62.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Denmark is 43.5x that of Madagascar, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Madagascar has lower GDP per capita ($1,884 vs $81,878). Madagascar's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Denmark's 5.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Madagascar and Denmark
Metric Madagascar Denmark
Minimum wage /hr Ar1,202 $0.27 None
Minimum wage /day Ar9,615 $2.16 None
Minimum wage /mo Ar250,000 $56.18 None
Minimum wage /yr Ar3,000,000 $674.16 None
Avg. gross salary /mo Ar500,000 /mo $112.36 kr45,000 /mo $7,012.19
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo kr28,000 /mo $4,363.14
Median individual income /yr Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 kr360,000 /yr $56,097.48

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.

Denmark

37 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Standard workweek is 37 hours (set by collective agreements, not statute). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements, not law.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Madagascar mandates 40 hours while Denmark mandates 37 hours.

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

Compare Madagascar with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Madagascar or Denmark?

In Madagascar, the minimum wage is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). In Denmark, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much less does the average worker earn in Madagascar compared to Denmark?

The average gross salary in Madagascar is Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD), compared to kr45,000/mo ($7,012.19 USD) in Denmark. In USD terms, workers in Madagascar earn approximately 6141% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Madagascar and Denmark is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Denmark earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Madagascar.

How do work hours compare between Madagascar and Denmark?

Madagascar has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37 hours in Denmark. Workers in Madagascar work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Denmark 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 Madagascar and Denmark?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Denmark has the higher GDP per capita at $81,878, which is 43.5x that of Madagascar at $1,884. From Madagascar'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.