Mali Iraq

Updated 2026-02-25

Mali

Minimum Wage

CFA192.30 /hr

$0.35 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA120,000 /mo

Iraq

Minimum Wage

ع.د1,823 /hr

$1.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ع.د700,000 /mo

Min wage: -75% Mali vs Iraq Avg. salary: -60% Mali vs Iraq

The minimum wage in Mali is 75% lower than in Iraq in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $215/mo in Mali versus $536/mo in Iraq, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iraq is 4.4x that of Mali, underscoring the structural economic divide.

From Mali's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Mali's minimum wage buys less than Iraq's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Mali is $1 international dollars, compared to $3 in Iraq. Mali has lower GDP per capita ($3,315 vs $14,464). Mali's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Iraq's 15.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mali and Iraq
Metric	Mali	Iraq	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	CFA192.30 $0.35	ع.د1,823 $1.40	-75.3%
Minimum wage /day	CFA1,538 $2.76	ع.د14,583 $11.17	-75.3%
Minimum wage /mo	CFA40,000 $71.81	ع.د350,000 $268.20	-73.2%
Minimum wage /yr	CFA480,000 $861.76	ع.د4,200,000 $3,218.39	-73.2%
Avg. gross salary /mo	CFA120,000 /mo $215.44	ع.د700,000 /mo $536.40	-59.8%
Median individual income /yr	CFA360,000 /yr $646.32	ع.د3,360,000 /yr $2,574.71	-74.9%

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.
Iraq: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 per day / 48 per week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Work on official holidays is paid at 200%. Ramadan working hours are reduced. Public sector employees typically work ~40 hours/week in practice.

• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)

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

Year	Mali (USD)	Iraq (USD)
2013	$72/hr	—
2015	—	$268/hr
2020	$72/hr	$268/hr
2022	$72/hr	$268/hr
2024	$72/hr	$268/hr

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Mali earns 305% less per hour in USD terms than one in Iraq. Standard work weeks differ: Mali mandates 40 hours while Iraq mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mali are $14 vs $67 in Iraq.

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

Compare Mali with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mali or Iraq?

In Mali, the minimum wage is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD). In Iraq, it is ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD). Iraq has the higher rate by 305% 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 Iraq?

The average gross salary in Mali is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to ع.د700,000/mo ($536.40 USD) in Iraq. In USD terms, workers in Mali earn approximately 149% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mali and Iraq is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iraq 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 Iraq?

After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Iraq can afford more than those in Mali. The PPP-adjusted rate is $1 in Mali and $3 in Iraq. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 248% 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 Iraq?

Iraq has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mali. Workers in Mali work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mali 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.

What is the cost of living difference between Mali and Iraq?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iraq has the higher GDP per capita at $14,464, which is 4.4x 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.