Mali Gabon

Updated 2026-02-25

Mali

Minimum Wage

CFA192.30 /hr

$0.35 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA120,000 /mo

Gabon

Minimum Wage

FCFA865.38 /hr

$1.55 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FCFA555,000 /mo

Min wage: -78% Mali vs Gabon Avg. salary: -78% Mali vs Gabon

The minimum wage in Mali is 78% lower than in Gabon in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $215/mo in Mali versus $996/mo in Gabon, a 4.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Gabon is 6.5x that of Mali, underscoring the structural economic divide.

From Mali's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Mali's minimum wage buys less than Gabon's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Mali is $1 international dollars, compared to $4 in Gabon. Mali has lower GDP per capita ($3,315 vs $21,510). Mali's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Gabon's 20.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mali and Gabon
Metric	Mali	Gabon	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	CFA192.30 $0.35	FCFA865.38 $1.55	-77.8%
Minimum wage /day	CFA1,538 $2.76	—	—
Minimum wage /mo	CFA40,000 $71.81	FCFA150,000 $269.30	-73.3%
Minimum wage /yr	CFA480,000 $861.76	FCFA1,800,000 $3,231.60	-73.3%
Avg. gross salary /mo	CFA120,000 /mo $215.44	FCFA555,000 /mo $996.41	-78.4%
Avg. net salary /mo	N/A/mo	FCFA430,000 /mo $771.99	—
Median individual income /yr	CFA360,000 /yr $646.32	FCFA2,400,000 /yr $4,308.80	-85.0%

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.
Gabon: 40 hrs/wk standard

Max 60 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime capped at 20 hours/week, permitted only for exceptional, urgent, or seasonal work. Weekday overtime at 125% of normal rate; Sundays/public holidays at 150-200%. Employees entitled to 10 consecutive hours of daily rest and one full day of weekly rest (usually Sunday). Governed by the Labour Code (Code du Travail).

• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)

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

Year	Mali (USD)	Gabon (USD)
2006	—	$144/hr
2010	—	$269/hr
2013	$72/hr	—
2020	$72/hr	—
2022	$72/hr	—
2024	$72/hr	—

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Mali earns 350% less per hour in USD terms than one in Gabon.

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

Compare Mali with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mali or Gabon?

In Mali, the minimum wage is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD). In Gabon, it is FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD). Gabon has the higher rate by 350% 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 Gabon?

The average gross salary in Mali is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to FCFA555,000/mo ($996.41 USD) in Gabon. In USD terms, workers in Mali earn approximately 363% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mali and Gabon is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Gabon 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 Gabon?

After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Gabon can afford more than those in Mali. The PPP-adjusted rate is $1 in Mali and $4 in Gabon. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 288% 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 Gabon?

Both Mali and Gabon 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 Gabon?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Gabon has the higher GDP per capita at $21,510, which is 6.5x 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.