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Key Facts: Malawi vs Haiti Wages

Malawi Minimum Wage
MK240.40/hr ($0.14 USD)
Haiti Minimum Wage
G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD)
Malawi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MK120,000 /mo ($69.16 USD)
Haiti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
G25,000 /mo ($187.97 USD)
Data Sources
Malawi Ministry of Labour / Minimum Wages Board / ILO (2026-02-25), Haitian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) / ILO (2026-02-25)

Malawi flag Malawi Haiti flag Haiti

Updated 2026-02-25

Malawi flag Malawi

Minimum Wage

MK240.40 /hr

$0.14 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MK120,000 /mo

Haiti flag Haiti

Minimum Wage

G17,125 /mo

$128.76 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

G25,000 /mo

Min wage: -100% Malawi vs Haiti Avg. salary: -63% Malawi vs Haiti

The minimum wage in Malawi is roughly 929 times lower than in Haiti in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $69/mo in Malawi versus $188/mo in Haiti, a 2.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Haiti is 1.7x that of Malawi, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Malawi has lower GDP per capita ($1,858 vs $3,194). Malawi's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Haiti's 14.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Malawi and Haiti
Metric Malawi Haiti
Minimum wage /hr MK240.40 $0.14
Minimum wage /day MK1,923 $1.11 G685 $5.15
Minimum wage /mo MK50,000 $28.82 G17,125 $128.76
Minimum wage /yr MK600,000 $345.82
Avg. gross salary /mo MK120,000 /mo $69.16 G25,000 /mo $187.97
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo G23,000 /mo $172.93
Median individual income /yr MK360,000 /yr $207.49 G72,000 /yr $541.35

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Malawi is higher.

Work Week

Malawi

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Employment Act (Cap 55:02) sets maximum ordinary working hours at 48 per week (8 hrs/day, 6 days) or 45 hours over 5 days. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Night work (6pm–6am) attracts a premium. Public holidays are compensated at double time if worked. Workers are entitled to 15 days of paid annual leave after 12 months.

Haiti

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 56 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Haiti Labour Code sets 48 hours as the standard workweek (8 hours/day, 6 days). Maximum with overtime is 56 hours. Overtime paid at 1.5x the regular rate. In practice, enforcement is very limited and informal workers have no effective protection.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Malawi earns 92827% less per hour in USD terms than one in Haiti.

See this comparison from Haiti's perspective: Haiti vs Malawi

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Malawi or Haiti?

In Malawi, the minimum wage is MK240.40/hr ($0.14 USD). In Haiti, it is G17,125/mo ($128.76 USD). Haiti has the higher rate by 92827% 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 Malawi may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Malawi compared to Haiti?

The average gross salary in Malawi is MK120,000/mo ($69.16 USD), compared to G25,000/mo ($187.97 USD) in Haiti. In USD terms, workers in Malawi earn approximately 172% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Malawi and Haiti is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Haiti earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Malawi.

How do work hours compare between Malawi and Haiti?

Both Malawi and Haiti mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Malawi and Haiti?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Haiti has the higher GDP per capita at $3,194, which is 1.7x that of Malawi at $1,858. From Malawi'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.