Key Facts: Madagascar vs Finland Wages
- Madagascar Minimum Wage
- Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
- Finland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
- Finland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Data Sources
- Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö) (2026-02-24)
Madagascar
Finland
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Finland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Madagascar mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $112/mo in Madagascar versus $4,542/mo in Finland, a 40.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Finland is 34.7x that of Madagascar, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Madagascar has lower GDP per capita ($1,884 vs $65,378). Madagascar's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Finland's 9.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Madagascar | Finland |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €2,700 /mo $3,144.29 |
| Median individual income /yr | Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 | €35,000 /yr $40,759.29 |
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.
- Finland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Working Hours Act / Työaikalaki). Regular daily working hours are 8 hours. Overtime for the first 2 hours is compensated at 150% and subsequent hours at 200%. Maximum overtime is 250 hours per calendar year. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
See this comparison from Finland's perspective: Finland vs Madagascar
Compare Madagascar with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Madagascar or Finland?
In Madagascar, the minimum wage is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). In Finland, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Madagascar compared to Finland?
The average gross salary in Madagascar is Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD), compared to €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD) in Finland. In USD terms, workers in Madagascar earn approximately 3942% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Madagascar and Finland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Finland 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 Finland?
Both Madagascar and Finland 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 Finland?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Finland has the higher GDP per capita at $65,378, which is 34.7x 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.