Key Facts: Malta vs Djibouti Wages
- Malta Minimum Wage
- €5.74/hr ($6.68 USD)
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Malta Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,100 /mo ($2,445.56 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER); 2026 rate per DIER Resource Pack (dier.gov.mt) (2026-05-27), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25)
Malta
Djibouti
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Malta is roughly 29 times lower than in Djibouti in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,446/mo in Malta versus $675/mo in Djibouti, a 3.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Malta is 8.9x that of Djibouti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Malta has higher GDP per capita ($69,864 vs $7,810). Malta's unemployment rate is 2.9% compared to Djibouti's 26.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Malta | Djibouti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €5.74 $6.68 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Fdj1,400 $7.88 |
| Minimum wage /wk | €229.44 $267.19 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | €994.24 $1,157.84 | Fdj35,000 $196.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €11,930.88 $13,894.12 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,100 /mo $2,445.56 | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,750 /mo $2,037.96 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €17,000 /yr $19,797.37 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Malta is higher.
Work Week
- Malta
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Maximum 48 hours/week averaged over a 17-week reference period. Overtime premium is at least 50% for weekdays and 100% for Sundays and public holidays.
- Djibouti
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Arabic and French are official languages. The labour force is supplemented by a large number of migrant workers from Ethiopia and Somalia.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Malta earns 2846% less per hour in USD terms than one in Djibouti.
See this comparison from Djibouti's perspective: Djibouti vs Malta
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Malta or Djibouti?
In Malta, the minimum wage is €5.74/hr ($6.68 USD). In Djibouti, it is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD). Djibouti has the higher rate by 2846% 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 Malta may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Malta compared to Djibouti?
The average gross salary in Malta is €2,100/mo ($2,445.56 USD), compared to Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD) in Djibouti. In USD terms, workers in Malta earn approximately 262% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Malta and Djibouti is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Malta earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Djibouti.
How do work hours compare between Malta and Djibouti?
Both Malta and Djibouti 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 Malta and Djibouti?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Malta has the higher GDP per capita at $69,864, which is 8.9x that of Djibouti at $7,810. From Malta's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.