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Key Facts: Mauritania vs Romania Wages

Mauritania Minimum Wage
UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
Romania Minimum Wage
lei24.36/hr ($5.40 USD)
Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
Romania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
lei7,200 /mo ($1,596.24 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25), Government of Romania (2026-02-24)

Mauritania flag Mauritania Romania flag Romania

Updated 2026-02-25

Mauritania flag Mauritania

Minimum Wage

UM30,000 /mo

$750 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

UM65,000 /mo

Romania flag Romania

Minimum Wage

lei24.36 /hr

$5.40 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

lei7,200 /mo

Min wage: +13787% Mauritania vs Romania Avg. salary: +2% Mauritania vs Romania

The minimum wage in Mauritania is roughly 139 times higher than in Romania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Mauritania at $1,625/mo compared to $1,596/mo in Romania. GDP per capita (PPP) in Romania is 6.7x that of Mauritania, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Mauritania has lower GDP per capita ($7,369 vs $49,077). Mauritania's unemployment rate is 10.3% compared to Romania's 6.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mauritania and Romania
Metric Mauritania Romania
Minimum wage /hr lei24.36 $5.40
Minimum wage /day UM1,200 $30
Minimum wage /mo UM30,000 $750 lei4,050 $897.88
Minimum wage /yr lei48,600 $10,774.62
Avg. gross salary /mo UM65,000 /mo $1,625 lei7,200 /mo $1,596.24
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo lei4,500 /mo $997.65
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr lei40,000 /yr $8,868.00

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.

Romania

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.75x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days, maximum 8 hours/day. Overtime premium is at least 75% of base salary. Maximum 48 hours/week including overtime, averaged over a 4-month reference period.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Romania to Mauritania would see a 13787% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

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

Compare Mauritania with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mauritania or Romania?

In Mauritania, the minimum wage is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). In Romania, it is lei24.36/hr ($5.40 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 13787% 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 Romania 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 Romania?

The average gross salary in Mauritania is UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD), compared to lei7,200/mo ($1,596.24 USD) in Romania. In USD terms, workers in Mauritania earn approximately 2% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mauritania and Romania 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 Romania.

How do work hours compare between Mauritania and Romania?

Both Mauritania and Romania 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 Romania?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Romania has the higher GDP per capita at $49,077, which is 6.7x 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.