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Key Facts: Mexico vs Benin Wages

Mexico Minimum Wage
MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
Benin Minimum Wage
CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD)
Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
Benin Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
Data Sources
CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Ministry of Labour and Public Service / ILO (2026-02-25)

Mexico flag Mexico Benin flag Benin

Updated 2026-03-02

Mexico flag Mexico

Minimum Wage

MX$9,583.52 /mo

$553.10 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MX$16,500 /mo

Benin flag Benin

Minimum Wage

CFA300 /hr

$0.54 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CFA120,000 /mo

Min wage: +102592% Mexico vs Benin Avg. salary: +342% Mexico vs Benin

The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 1027 times higher than in Benin in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $952/mo in Mexico versus $215/mo in Benin, a 4.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Mexico is 5.9x that of Benin, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Mexico has higher GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $4,435). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Benin's 1.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Mexico and Benin
Metric Mexico Benin
Minimum wage /hr CFA300 $0.54
Minimum wage /day MX$315.04 $18.18
Minimum wage /mo MX$9,583.52 $553.10 CFA52,000 $93.36
Minimum wage /yr MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 CFA624,000 $1,120.29
Avg. gross salary /mo MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 CFA120,000 /mo $215.44
Avg. net salary /mo MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 CFA100,000 /mo $179.53
Median individual income /yr MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 CFA480,000 /yr $861.76

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mexico is higher.

Work Week

Mexico

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (daytime). Night shift maximum is 42 hours, mixed shift 45 hours. First 9 hours of overtime per week at 200% rate; beyond that at 300%. A 2023 reform discussion to reduce to 40 hours is pending.

Benin

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.12x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours for non-agricultural sectors (48 hours for agriculture). Overtime from 41-48 hours paid at 112% of normal rate; hours exceeding 48 paid at 135%. Night work and weekend overtime carry higher premiums.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Benin to Mexico would see a 102592% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mexico mandates 48 hours while Benin mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mexico are $26,549 vs $22 in Benin.

See this comparison from Benin's perspective: Benin vs Mexico

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Benin?

In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Benin, it is CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 102592% 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 Benin may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Mexico compared to Benin?

The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Benin. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 342% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Benin is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mexico earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Benin.

How do work hours compare between Mexico and Benin?

Mexico has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Benin. Workers in Mexico work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Benin 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 Mexico and Benin?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mexico has the higher GDP per capita at $26,185, which is 5.9x that of Benin at $4,435. From Mexico'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.