Mali Norway

Updated 2026-05-28

Mali

Minimum Wage

CFA192.30 /hr

$0.35 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA120,000 /mo

Norway

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr55,150 /mo

Avg. salary: -96% Mali vs Norway

Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Mali mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $215/mo in Mali versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 27.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 30.8x that of Mali, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Mali has lower GDP per capita ($3,315 vs $102,038). Mali's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Norway's 4.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mali and Norway
Metric	Mali	Norway	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	CFA192.30 $0.35	None	—
Minimum wage /day	CFA1,538 $2.76	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	CFA40,000 $71.81	None	—
Minimum wage /yr	CFA480,000 $861.76	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	CFA120,000 /mo $215.44	kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34	-96.4%
Avg. net salary /mo	N/A/mo	kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80	—
Median individual income /yr	CFA360,000 /yr $646.32	kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49	-98.9%

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.
Norway: 37.5 hrs/wk standard

Max 40 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.4x pay

The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.

What This Means for Workers

Standard work weeks differ: Mali mandates 40 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.

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

Compare Mali with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mali or Norway?

In Mali, the minimum wage is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.

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

The average gross salary in Mali is CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Mali earn approximately 2663% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mali and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Mali.

How do work hours compare between Mali and Norway?

Mali has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Mali work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Norway?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 30.8x 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.