Mali Namibia

Updated 2026-02-25

Mali

Minimum Wage

CFA192.30 /hr

$0.35 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA120,000 /mo

Namibia

Minimum Wage

N$18 /hr

$1.13 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

N$13,500 /mo

Min wage: -69% Mali vs Namibia Avg. salary: -75% Mali vs Namibia

The minimum wage in Mali is 69% lower than in Namibia in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $215/mo in Mali versus $845/mo in Namibia, a 3.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Namibia is 3.5x that of Mali, underscoring the structural economic divide.

From Mali's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Mali's minimum wage buys less than Namibia's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Mali is $1 international dollars, compared to $3 in Namibia. Mali has lower GDP per capita ($3,315 vs $11,687). Mali's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Namibia's 19.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mali and Namibia
Metric	Mali	Namibia	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	CFA192.30 $0.35	N$18 $1.13	-69.4%
Minimum wage /day	CFA1,538 $2.76	—	—
Minimum wage /mo	CFA40,000 $71.81	N$3,510 $219.79	-67.3%
Minimum wage /yr	CFA480,000 $861.76	N$42,120 $2,637.45	-67.3%
Avg. gross salary /mo	CFA120,000 /mo $215.44	N$13,500 /mo $845.34	-74.5%
Avg. net salary /mo	N/A/mo	N$11,000 /mo $688.79	—
Median individual income /yr	CFA360,000 /yr $646.32	N$48,000 /yr $3,005.64	-78.5%

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.
Namibia: 45 hrs/wk standard

Max 45 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Act sets maximum ordinary hours at 45 per week (9 hrs/day for 5-day week, 8 hrs/day for 6-day week). Overtime limited to 10 hours/week and 3 hours/day. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Rest days at 2x. Daily rest period of at least 12 consecutive hours. Weekly rest of at least 36 consecutive hours (ideally including Sunday). Annual leave: 20 working days for 5-day week.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Mali earns 226% less per hour in USD terms than one in Namibia. Standard work weeks differ: Mali mandates 40 hours while Namibia mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mali are $14 vs $51 in Namibia.

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

Compare Mali with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mali or Namibia?

In Mali, the minimum wage is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD). In Namibia, it is N$18/hr ($1.13 USD). Namibia has the higher rate by 226% 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 Namibia?

The average gross salary in Mali is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to N$13,500/mo ($845.34 USD) in Namibia. In USD terms, workers in Mali earn approximately 292% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mali and Namibia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Namibia 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 Namibia?

After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Namibia can afford more than those in Mali. The PPP-adjusted rate is $1 in Mali and $3 in Namibia. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 171% 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 Namibia?

Namibia has a longer standard work week at 45 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 Namibia?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Namibia has the higher GDP per capita at $11,687, which is 3.5x 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.