Key Facts: Madagascar vs Djibouti Wages
- Madagascar Minimum Wage
- Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25)
Madagascar
Djibouti
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Madagascar is roughly 729 times lower than in Djibouti in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $112/mo in Madagascar versus $675/mo in Djibouti, a 6.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Djibouti is 4.1x that of Madagascar, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Madagascar has lower GDP per capita ($1,884 vs $7,810). Madagascar's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Djibouti's 26.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Madagascar | Djibouti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Ar1,202 $0.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | Ar9,615 $2.16 | Fdj1,400 $7.88 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Ar250,000 $56.18 | Fdj35,000 $196.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Ar3,000,000 $674.16 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Ar500,000 /mo $112.36 | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 |
| Median individual income /yr | Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Djibouti
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Arabic and French are official languages. The labour force is supplemented by a large number of migrant workers from Ethiopia and Somalia.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Madagascar earns 72810% less per hour in USD terms than one in Djibouti.
See this comparison from Djibouti's perspective: Djibouti vs Madagascar
Compare Madagascar with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Madagascar or Djibouti?
In Madagascar, the minimum wage is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). In Djibouti, it is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). Djibouti has the higher rate by 72810% 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 less does the average worker earn in Madagascar compared to Djibouti?
The average gross salary in Madagascar is Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD), compared to Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD) in Djibouti. In USD terms, workers in Madagascar earn approximately 501% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Madagascar and Djibouti is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Djibouti 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 Djibouti?
Both Madagascar and Djibouti mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Madagascar and Djibouti?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Djibouti has the higher GDP per capita at $7,810, which is 4.1x 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.