Key Facts: Mali vs Greece Wages
- Mali Minimum Wage
- CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD)
- Greece Minimum Wage
- €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD)
- Mali Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Greece Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,400 /mo ($1,630.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- Mali Ministry of Labour and Civil Service / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-04-01) (2026-05-04)
Mali
Greece
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Mali is roughly 18 times lower than in Greece 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 $1,630/mo in Greece, a 7.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Greece is 13.4x that of Mali, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Mali's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Mali's minimum wage buys less than Greece's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Mali is $1 international dollars, compared to $10 in Greece. Mali has lower GDP per capita ($3,315 vs $44,327). Mali's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Greece's 8.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mali | Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | CFA192.30 $0.35 | €5.31 $6.18 |
| Minimum wage /day | CFA1,538 $2.76 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA40,000 $71.81 | €920 $1,071.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | CFA480,000 $861.76 | €12,880 $14,999.42 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 | €1,400 /mo $1,630.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €1,100 /mo $1,281.01 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA360,000 /yr $646.32 | €12,800 /yr $14,906.25 |
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.
- Greece
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours across 5 days (Labour Law). Overtime beyond 40 hours is compensated at 120% for the first 5 hours per week and 140% thereafter. In 2024, Greece introduced optional 6-day workweek legislation for certain industries, with the 6th day paid at 140%. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Mali earns 1691% less per hour in USD terms than one in Greece.
See this comparison from Greece's perspective: Greece vs Mali
Compare Mali with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mali or Greece?
In Mali, the minimum wage is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD). In Greece, it is €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD). Greece has the higher rate by 1691% 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 Greece?
The average gross salary in Mali is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to €1,400/mo ($1,630.37 USD) in Greece. In USD terms, workers in Mali earn approximately 657% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mali and Greece is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Greece 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 Greece?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Greece can afford more than those in Mali. The PPP-adjusted rate is $1 in Mali and $10 in Greece. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 963% 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 Greece?
Both Mali and Greece 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 Greece?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Greece has the higher GDP per capita at $44,327, which is 13.4x 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.