Key Facts: Mauritania vs Guyana Wages
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Guyana Minimum Wage
- G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25)
Mauritania
Guyana
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Mauritania is roughly 452 times higher than in Guyana in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,625/mo in Mauritania versus $478/mo in Guyana, a 3.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guyana is 10.9x that of Mauritania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Mauritania has lower GDP per capita ($7,369 vs $80,155). Mauritania's unemployment rate is 10.3% compared to Guyana's 12.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mauritania | Guyana |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | G$347 $1.66 |
| Minimum wage /day | UM1,200 $30 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | UM30,000 $750 | G$60,147 $287.44 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 | G$100,000 /mo $477.90 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | G$80,000 /mo $382.32 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38 |
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.
- Guyana
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate on weekdays and 2x on public holidays. Governed by the Labour Act. Some sectors (sugar, mining) may have different arrangements through collective agreements.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Guyana to Mauritania would see a 45127% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Guyana's perspective: Guyana vs Mauritania
Compare Mauritania with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mauritania or Guyana?
In Mauritania, the minimum wage is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). In Guyana, it is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 45127% 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 Guyana may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Mauritania compared to Guyana?
The average gross salary in Mauritania is UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD), compared to G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD) in Guyana. In USD terms, workers in Mauritania earn approximately 240% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mauritania and Guyana is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mauritania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guyana.
How do work hours compare between Mauritania and Guyana?
Both Mauritania and Guyana 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 Guyana?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Guyana has the higher GDP per capita at $80,155, which is 10.9x 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.