Key Facts: Malta vs Gambia Wages
- Malta Minimum Wage
- €5.74/hr ($6.68 USD)
- Gambia Minimum Wage
- D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD)
- Malta Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,100 /mo ($2,445.56 USD)
- Gambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- D8,000 /mo ($107.90 USD)
- Data Sources
- Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER); 2026 rate per DIER Resource Pack (dier.gov.mt) (2026-05-27), ILO ILOSTAT / Gambia Bureau of Statistics / Department of Labour (2026-02-25)
Malta
Gambia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Malta is 62% lower than in the Gambia in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,446/mo in Malta versus $108/mo in the Gambia, a 22.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Malta is 20.1x that of Gambia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Malta has higher GDP per capita ($69,864 vs $3,476). Malta's unemployment rate is 2.9% compared to the Gambia's 6.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Malta | Gambia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €5.74 $6.68 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | D50 $0.67 |
| Minimum wage /wk | €229.44 $267.19 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | €994.24 $1,157.84 | D1,300 $17.53 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €11,930.88 $13,894.12 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,100 /mo $2,445.56 | D8,000 /mo $107.90 |
| 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.
- Gambia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2007 sets a 40-hour standard working week (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime is payable at 1.5x for weekdays and 2x for Sundays and public holidays.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Malta earns 162% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Gambia.
See this comparison from Gambia's perspective: Gambia vs Malta
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Malta or Gambia?
In Malta, the minimum wage is €5.74/hr ($6.68 USD). In the Gambia, it is D1,300/mo ($17.53 USD). Gambia has the higher rate by 162% 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 Gambia?
The average gross salary in Malta is €2,100/mo ($2,445.56 USD), compared to D8,000/mo ($107.90 USD) in the Gambia. In USD terms, workers in Malta earn approximately 2166% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Malta and Gambia 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 the Gambia.
How do work hours compare between Malta and Gambia?
Both Malta and Gambia 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 Gambia?
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 20.1x that of Gambia at $3,476. 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.