Key Facts: Mauritania vs Ivory Coast Wages
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Ivory Coast Minimum Wage
- CFA432.70/hr ($0.78 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Ivory Coast Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA337,000 /mo ($605.03 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25), Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Protection Sociale — Côte d'Ivoire (2026-05-04)
Mauritania
Ivory Coast
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Mauritania is roughly 965 times higher than in Ivory Coast in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,625/mo in Mauritania versus $605/mo in Ivory Coast, a 2.7:1 ratio. Ivory Coast has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.3% compared to 10.3%.
Mauritania has lower GDP per capita ($7,369 vs $7,669). Mauritania's unemployment rate is 10.3% compared to Ivory Coast's 2.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mauritania | Ivory Coast |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CFA432.70 $0.78 |
| Minimum wage /day | UM1,200 $30 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | UM30,000 $750 | CFA75,000 $134.65 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | CFA900,000 $1,615.80 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 | CFA337,000 /mo $605.03 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | CFA280,000 /mo $502.69 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | CFA960,000 /yr $1,723.52 |
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.
- Ivory Coast
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.15x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week (non-agricultural) and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 115% for the first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 150% for subsequent hours. Night work (9pm-5am) and holiday work have higher multipliers.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ivory Coast to Mauritania would see a 96445% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Ivory Coast's perspective: Ivory Coast vs Mauritania
Compare Mauritania with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mauritania or Ivory Coast?
In Mauritania, the minimum wage is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). In Ivory Coast, it is CFA432.70/hr ($0.78 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 96445% 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 Ivory Coast 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 Ivory Coast?
The average gross salary in Mauritania is UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD), compared to CFA337,000/mo ($605.03 USD) in Ivory Coast. In USD terms, workers in Mauritania earn approximately 169% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mauritania and Ivory Coast 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 Ivory Coast.
How do work hours compare between Mauritania and Ivory Coast?
Both Mauritania and Ivory Coast 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 Ivory Coast?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Ivory Coast has the higher GDP per capita at $7,669, which is 1.0x 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.