Key Facts: Madagascar vs India Wages
- Madagascar Minimum Wage
- Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
- India Minimum Wage
- ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD)
- Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
- India Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₹31,900 /mo ($335.82 USD)
- Data Sources
- Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Employment. Central VDA April 2026 update verified via clc.gov.in/clc/min-wages: CPI rose 11.28 points triggering increase in centrally-regulated minimum wages (covers construction, sweeping/cleaning, watch & ward, and other Central Sphere employments). Note: Central VDA does NOT replace state minimum wages — most workers are subject to state-set rates which vary by state and update on different cycles. (2026-05-04)
Madagascar
India
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Madagascar is roughly 178 times lower than in India 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 $336/mo in India, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in India is 5.9x that of Madagascar, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Madagascar has lower GDP per capita ($1,884 vs $11,160). Madagascar's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to India's 4.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Madagascar | India |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Ar1,202 $0.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | Ar9,615 $2.16 | ₹176 $1.85 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Ar250,000 $56.18 | ₹4,576 $48.17 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Ar3,000,000 $674.16 | ₹54,912 $578.08 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Ar500,000 /mo $112.36 | ₹31,900 /mo $335.82 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₹27,500 /mo $289.50 |
| Median individual income /yr | Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 | ₹150,000 /yr $1,579.11 |
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.
- India
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act sets 48 hours/week, 9 hours/day. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. New Labour Codes (when implemented) may standardize at 48 hours across 4-6 day weeks.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Madagascar earns 17735% less per hour in USD terms than one in India. Standard work weeks differ: Madagascar mandates 40 hours while India mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Madagascar are $11 vs $2,312 in India.
See this comparison from India's perspective: India vs Madagascar
Compare Madagascar with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Madagascar or India?
In Madagascar, the minimum wage is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). In India, it is ₹4,576/mo ($48.17 USD). India has the higher rate by 17735% 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 India?
The average gross salary in Madagascar is Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD), compared to ₹31,900/mo ($335.82 USD) in India. In USD terms, workers in Madagascar earn approximately 199% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Madagascar and India is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in India 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 India?
India has a longer standard work week at 48 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Madagascar and India?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. India has the higher GDP per capita at $11,160, which is 5.9x 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.