Key Facts: Malawi vs Venezuela Wages
- Malawi Minimum Wage
- MK240.40/hr ($0.14 USD)
- Venezuela Minimum Wage
- Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD)
- Malawi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MK120,000 /mo ($69.16 USD)
- Venezuela Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Bs.D500 /mo ($13.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Malawi Ministry of Labour / Minimum Wages Board / ILO (2026-02-25), Venezuelan Ministry of Labour (MINPPTRASS) / Decreto 4.653/2022 / Cendas-FVM. Confirmed: legal salario mínimo has been UNCHANGED at VES 130 since March 2022 (over 4 years frozen amid hyperinflation). Effective real income for workers is dominated by the 'ingreso integral' (bono de guerra económica + CESTATICKET food bonus), increased to USD 240/month effective 1 May 2026. (2026-05-04)
Malawi 
Venezuela
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Malawi is roughly 7 times higher than in Venezuela in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $69/mo in Malawi versus $14/mo in Venezuela, a 5.0:1 ratio.
Malawi's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Venezuela's 5.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Malawi | Venezuela |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MK240.40 $0.14 | Bs.D0.68 $0.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | MK1,923 $1.11 | Bs.D5.42 $0.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | MK50,000 $28.82 | Bs.D130 $3.56 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MK600,000 $345.82 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MK120,000 /mo $69.16 | Bs.D500 /mo $13.70 |
| Median individual income /yr | MK360,000 /yr $207.49 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Venezuela
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Organic Labour Law (LOTTT) of 2012 sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Certain sectors may work up to 44 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 100 hours/year and paid at a premium of at least 50%. Night work (7pm–5am) carries a 30% premium. Workers are entitled to 2 years advance notice before termination — the LOTTT provides extremely strong job security provisions. Saturday is often worked in practice in commerce/industry.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Venezuela to Malawi would see a 644% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Malawi mandates 48 hours while Venezuela mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Malawi are $7 vs $1 in Venezuela.
See this comparison from Venezuela's perspective: Venezuela vs Malawi
Compare Malawi with...
Malawi vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Malawi vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Malawi vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Malawi vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Malawi vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Malawi vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Malawi vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Malawi vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Malawi vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Malawi vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Malawi vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Malawi vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Malawi vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Malawi vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Malawi vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Malawi vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Malawi vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Malawi vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Malawi vs Switzerland 
Malawi vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Malawi vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Malawi vs Sweden 
Malawi vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Malawi vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Malawi or Venezuela?
In Malawi, the minimum wage is MK240.40/hr ($0.14 USD). In Venezuela, it is Bs.D0.68/hr ($0.02 USD). Malawi has the higher rate by 644% 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 Venezuela may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Malawi compared to Venezuela?
The average gross salary in Malawi is MK120,000/mo ($69.16 USD), compared to Bs.D500/mo ($13.70 USD) in Venezuela. In USD terms, workers in Malawi earn approximately 405% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Malawi and Venezuela is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Malawi earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Venezuela.
How do work hours compare between Malawi and Venezuela?
Malawi has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Venezuela. Workers in Malawi work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Venezuela 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.