Key Facts: Mauritania vs Cyprus Wages
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Cyprus Minimum Wage
- €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Cyprus Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,200 /mo ($2,562.01 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)
Mauritania
Cyprus
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Mauritania is roughly 103 times higher than in Cyprus in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Mauritania at $1,625/mo compared to $2,562/mo in Cyprus. GDP per capita (PPP) in Cyprus is 8.6x that of Mauritania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Mauritania has lower GDP per capita ($7,369 vs $63,007). Mauritania's unemployment rate is 10.3% compared to Cyprus' 4.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mauritania | Cyprus |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | €6.28 $7.31 |
| Minimum wage /day | UM1,200 $30 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | UM30,000 $750 | €1,088 $1,267.03 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | €13,056 $15,204.38 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 | €2,200 /mo $2,562.01 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | €17,000 /yr $19,797.37 |
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.
- Cyprus
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is typically 38-40 hours depending on sector (most common is 40 hours in 5 days). Maximum 48 hours/week averaged over 4 months. Overtime premium depends on collective agreements, typically 50%.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cyprus to Mauritania would see a 10155% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Cyprus's perspective: Cyprus vs Mauritania
Compare Mauritania with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mauritania or Cyprus?
In Mauritania, the minimum wage is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). In Cyprus, it is €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 10155% 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 Cyprus 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 Cyprus?
The average gross salary in Mauritania is UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD), compared to €2,200/mo ($2,562.01 USD) in Cyprus. In USD terms, workers in Mauritania earn approximately 58% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mauritania and Cyprus is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Cyprus 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 Cyprus?
Both Mauritania and Cyprus 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 Cyprus?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Cyprus has the higher GDP per capita at $63,007, which is 8.6x 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.