Key Facts: Mauritania vs Pakistan Wages
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Pakistan Minimum Wage
- ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Pakistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₨39,042 /mo ($140.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25), Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development; FY2025-26 federal budget confirmed minimum wage UNCHANGED at PKR 37,000/month (no increase despite high inflation; Federal Government Grade 1-16 employees received separate 10% pay rise that does not affect minimum wage). Verified via Brecorder (brecorder.com/news/minimum-wage-to-remain-unchanged-at-rs37000-in-fy26). (2026-05-04)
Mauritania
Pakistan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Mauritania is roughly 1305 times higher than in Pakistan 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 $140/mo in Pakistan, a 11.6:1 ratio. Pakistan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.4% compared to 10.3%.
Mauritania has higher GDP per capita ($7,369 vs $6,252). Mauritania's unemployment rate is 10.3% compared to Pakistan's 5.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mauritania | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₨160 $0.57 |
| Minimum wage /day | UM1,200 $30 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | UM30,000 $750 | ₨37,000 $132.85 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ₨444,000 $1,594.25 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 | ₨39,042 /mo $140.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ₨35,138 /mo $126.17 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₨403,200 /yr $1,447.76 |
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.
- Pakistan
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Factories Act 1934 sets standard at 48 hours/week (9 hrs/day). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at double the ordinary rate. Shops and Establishments ordinances vary by province.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Pakistan to Mauritania would see a 130447% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mauritania mandates 40 hours while Pakistan mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mauritania are $30,000 vs $28 in Pakistan.
See this comparison from Pakistan's perspective: Pakistan vs Mauritania
Compare Mauritania with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mauritania or Pakistan?
In Mauritania, the minimum wage is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). In Pakistan, it is ₨160/hr ($0.57 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 130447% 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 Pakistan 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 Pakistan?
The average gross salary in Mauritania is UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD), compared to ₨39,042/mo ($140.19 USD) in Pakistan. In USD terms, workers in Mauritania earn approximately 1059% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mauritania and Pakistan 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 Pakistan.
How do work hours compare between Mauritania and Pakistan?
Pakistan has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mauritania. Workers in Mauritania work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mauritania working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Mauritania and Pakistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mauritania has the higher GDP per capita at $7,369, which is 1.2x that of Pakistan at $6,252. From Mauritania'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.