Mali Bahamas

Updated 2026-02-25

Mali

Minimum Wage

CFA192.30 /hr

$0.35 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA120,000 /mo

Bahamas

Minimum Wage

B$6.50 /hr

$6.50 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

B$3,500 /mo

Min wage: -95% Mali vs Bahamas Avg. salary: -94% Mali vs Bahamas

The minimum wage in Mali is roughly 19 times lower than in the Bahamas in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $215/mo in Mali versus $3,500/mo in the Bahamas, a 16.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahamas is 12.4x that of Mali, underscoring the structural economic divide.

From Mali's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Mali's minimum wage buys less than the Bahamas'. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Mali is $1 international dollars, compared to $7 in the Bahamas. Mali has lower GDP per capita ($3,315 vs $41,198). Mali's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to the Bahamas' 9.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mali and Bahamas
Metric	Mali	Bahamas	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	CFA192.30 $0.35	B$6.50 $6.50	-94.7%
Minimum wage /day	CFA1,538 $2.76	—	—
Minimum wage /mo	CFA40,000 $71.81	B$1,126.67 $1,126.67	-93.6%
Minimum wage /yr	CFA480,000 $861.76	B$13,520 $13,520	-93.6%
Avg. gross salary /mo	CFA120,000 /mo $215.44	B$3,500 /mo $3,500	-93.8%
Avg. net salary /mo	N/A/mo	B$3,150 /mo $3,150	—
Median individual income /yr	CFA360,000 /yr $646.32	B$24,000 /yr $24,000	-97.3%

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

Work Week

Mali: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.15x pay

Labour Code (Law No. 92-020 of 23 September 1992, amended) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime rates: 115% for day hours; 130% for hours between 21:00 and 05:00 on weekdays; 150% for Sunday daytime; 200% for night hours on Sundays/holidays. Workers are entitled to 2.5 days of paid leave per month worked (30 days/year). Friday prayers (Jumu'ah) are accommodated — Mali is ~90% Muslim.
Bahamas: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 40 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week or 8 per day. Work on public holidays or rest days is paid at 2x the regular rate. Governed by the Employment Act, 2001.

• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)

Mali Bahamas Source: wage.is · USD equivalent/hr

Year	Mali (USD)	Bahamas (USD)
2002	—	$650/hr
2013	$72/hr	—
2015	—	$910/hr
2020	$72/hr	—
2022	$72/hr	—
2023	—	$1127/hr
2024	$72/hr	—

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Mali earns 1783% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Bahamas.

See this comparison from Bahamas's perspective: Bahamas vs Mali

Compare Mali with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mali or Bahamas?

In Mali, the minimum wage is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD). In the Bahamas, it is B$6.50/hr ($6.50 USD). Bahamas has the higher rate by 1783% 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 Mali may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Mali compared to Bahamas?

The average gross salary in Mali is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to B$3,500/mo ($3,500 USD) in the Bahamas. In USD terms, workers in Mali earn approximately 1525% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mali and Bahamas is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Bahamas earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Mali.

Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Mali or Bahamas?

After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in the Bahamas can afford more than those in Mali. The PPP-adjusted rate is $1 in Mali and $7 in the Bahamas. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 605% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Mali appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.

How do work hours compare between Mali and Bahamas?

Both Mali and Bahamas mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Mali and Bahamas?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bahamas has the higher GDP per capita at $41,198, which is 12.4x that of Mali at $3,315. From Mali'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.