Key Facts: Malaysia vs Cuba Wages
- Malaysia Minimum Wage
- RM8.72/hr ($2.20 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Malaysia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RM4,000 /mo ($1,008.83 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR); Minimum Wages Order 2024 P.U.(A) 376 eff 2025-02-01; primary source gajiminimum.mohr.gov.my (2026-05-27), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Malaysia 
Cuba
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Malaysia is roughly 74 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,009/mo in Malaysia versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 62.2:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 3.8%.
Malaysia's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Malaysia | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RM8.72 $2.20 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | RM1,700 $428.75 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | RM20,400 $5,145.02 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RM4,000 /mo $1,008.83 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RM3,520 /mo $887.77 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | RM31,200 /yr $7,868.85 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Malaysia is higher.
Work Week
- Malaysia
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 1955 (amended 2022) reduced maximum working hours from 48 to 45 hours/week, effective 1 January 2023. Maximum 8 hours/day or 45 hours/week. Overtime at 1.5x on normal days, 2x on rest days, 3x on public holidays. Maximum overtime: 104 hours/month. Applies to employees earning up to MYR 4,000/mo (threshold raised from MYR 2,000 in 2023 amendments).
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Malaysia would see a 7340% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Malaysia mandates 45 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Malaysia are $99 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Malaysia
Compare Malaysia with...
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Malaysia vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Malaysia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Malaysia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Malaysia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Malaysia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Malaysia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Malaysia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Malaysia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Malaysia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Malaysia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Malaysia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Malaysia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Malaysia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Malaysia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Malaysia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Malaysia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Malaysia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Malaysia vs Switzerland 
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Malaysia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Malaysia or Cuba?
In Malaysia, the minimum wage is RM8.72/hr ($2.20 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Malaysia has the higher rate by 7340% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Malaysia compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Malaysia is RM4,000/mo ($1,008.83 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Malaysia earn approximately 6121% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Malaysia and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Malaysia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Malaysia and Cuba?
Malaysia has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in Cuba. Workers in Malaysia work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Cuba 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.