Key Facts: Mauritania vs Serbia Wages
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Serbia Minimum Wage
- RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Serbia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RSD110,000 /mo ($1,023.26 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (2026-02-24)
Mauritania
Serbia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Mauritania is roughly 298 times higher than in Serbia 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 $1,023/mo in Serbia. GDP per capita (PPP) in Serbia is 4.5x that of Mauritania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Mauritania has lower GDP per capita ($7,369 vs $32,832). Mauritania's unemployment rate is 10.3% compared to Serbia's 7.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mauritania | Serbia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | RSD271 $2.52 |
| Minimum wage /day | UM1,200 $30 | RSD2,168 $20.17 |
| Minimum wage /mo | UM30,000 $750 | RSD47,000 $437.21 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | RSD564,000 $5,246.51 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 | RSD110,000 /mo $1,023.26 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | RSD80,000 /mo $744.19 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | RSD600,000 /yr $5,581.40 |
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.
- Serbia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.26x pay
Labour Law sets full-time working hours at 40/week. Overtime: minimum 26% surcharge. Night work (22:00-06:00): minimum 26% surcharge. Holiday work: minimum 110% surcharge. Maximum overtime is 8 hours/week. Reduced working hours (36 or fewer) for hazardous occupations.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Serbia to Mauritania would see a 29651% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Serbia's perspective: Serbia vs Mauritania
Compare Mauritania with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mauritania or Serbia?
In Mauritania, the minimum wage is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). In Serbia, it is RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 29651% 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 Serbia 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 Serbia?
The average gross salary in Mauritania is UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD), compared to RSD110,000/mo ($1,023.26 USD) in Serbia. In USD terms, workers in Mauritania earn approximately 59% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mauritania and Serbia 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 Serbia.
How do work hours compare between Mauritania and Serbia?
Both Mauritania and Serbia 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 Serbia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Serbia has the higher GDP per capita at $32,832, which is 4.5x 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.