Key Facts: Madagascar vs Libya Wages
- Madagascar Minimum Wage
- Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Madagascar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Ar500,000 /mo ($112.36 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- Malagasy Ministry of Labour and Social Laws / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Madagascar
Libya
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Madagascar is roughly 343 times lower than in Libya 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 $370/mo in Libya, a 3.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Libya is 7.6x that of Madagascar, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Madagascar has lower GDP per capita ($1,884 vs $14,304). Madagascar's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Madagascar | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Ar1,202 $0.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | Ar9,615 $2.16 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Ar250,000 $56.18 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Ar3,000,000 $674.16 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Ar500,000 /mo $112.36 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | Ar1,200,000 /yr $269.66 | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
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.
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Madagascar earns 34179% less per hour in USD terms than one in Libya. Standard work weeks differ: Madagascar mandates 40 hours while Libya mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Madagascar are $11 vs $4,444 in Libya.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Madagascar
Compare Madagascar with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Madagascar or Libya?
In Madagascar, the minimum wage is Ar1,202/hr ($0.27 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 34179% 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 Libya?
The average gross salary in Madagascar is Ar500,000/mo ($112.36 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Madagascar earn approximately 230% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Madagascar and Libya is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Libya 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 Libya?
Libya 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 Libya?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Libya has the higher GDP per capita at $14,304, which is 7.6x 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.