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Key Facts: Mauritania vs Canada Wages

Mauritania Minimum Wage
UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
Canada Minimum Wage
C$18.10/hr ($13.09 USD)
Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
Canada Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
C$5,708 /mo ($4,127.26 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25), Government of Canada - Labour Program (2026-05-28)

Mauritania flag Mauritania Canada flag Canada

Updated 2026-05-28

Mauritania flag Mauritania

Minimum Wage

UM30,000 /mo

$750 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

UM65,000 /mo

Canada flag Canada

Minimum Wage

C$18.10 /hr

$13.09 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

C$5,708 /mo

Min wage: +5631% Mauritania vs Canada Avg. salary: -61% Mauritania vs Canada

The minimum wage in Mauritania is roughly 57 times higher than in Canada in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,625/mo in Mauritania versus $4,127/mo in Canada, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Canada is 8.8x that of Mauritania, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Mauritania has lower GDP per capita ($7,369 vs $64,610). Mauritania's unemployment rate is 10.3% compared to Canada's 6.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mauritania and Canada
Metric Mauritania Canada
Minimum wage /hr C$18.10 $13.09
Minimum wage /day UM1,200 $30
Minimum wage /mo UM30,000 $750 C$3,137.33 $2,268.50
Minimum wage /yr C$37,648 $27,221.98
Avg. gross salary /mo UM65,000 /mo $1,625 C$5,708 /mo $4,127.26
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo C$4,334 /mo $3,133.77
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr C$44,000 /yr $31,814.90

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mauritania is higher.

Work Week

Mauritania

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Code sets 40 hours/week, with Friday as the rest day. Arabic is the official language; French widely used in business. Some sectors may observe Thursday–Friday weekends.

Canada

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Federal standard is 40 hours/week with overtime after 40 hours at 1.5x. Maximum 48 hours/week unless authorized. Provincial rules vary (e.g., Ontario overtime after 44 hrs).

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Canada to Mauritania would see a 5631% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

See this comparison from Canada's perspective: Canada vs Mauritania

Compare Mauritania with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mauritania or Canada?

In Mauritania, the minimum wage is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). In Canada, it is C$18.10/hr ($13.09 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 5631% 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 Canada may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Mauritania compared to Canada?

The average gross salary in Mauritania is UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD), compared to C$5,708/mo ($4,127.26 USD) in Canada. In USD terms, workers in Mauritania earn approximately 154% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mauritania and Canada is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Canada earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Mauritania.

How do work hours compare between Mauritania and Canada?

Both Mauritania and Canada 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 Mauritania and Canada?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Canada has the higher GDP per capita at $64,610, which is 8.8x that of Mauritania at $7,369. From Mauritania'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.