Key Facts: Mexico vs Gabon Wages
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
- Gabon Minimum Wage
- FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD)
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
- Gabon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA555,000 /mo ($996.41 USD)
- Data Sources
- CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Ministry of Labour, Employment and Vocational Training / Labour Code of Gabon (2026-02-25)
Mexico
Gabon
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 356 times higher than in Gabon in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Mexico at $952/mo compared to $996/mo in Gabon. Mexico has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.7% compared to 20.1%.
Mexico has higher GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $21,510). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Gabon's 20.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mexico | Gabon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | FCFA865.38 $1.55 |
| Minimum wage /day | MX$315.04 $18.18 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | MX$9,583.52 $553.10 | FCFA150,000 $269.30 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 | FCFA1,800,000 $3,231.60 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 | FCFA555,000 /mo $996.41 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 | FCFA430,000 /mo $771.99 |
| Median individual income /yr | MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 | FCFA2,400,000 /yr $4,308.80 |
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.
- Gabon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime capped at 20 hours/week, permitted only for exceptional, urgent, or seasonal work. Weekday overtime at 125% of normal rate; Sundays/public holidays at 150-200%. Employees entitled to 10 consecutive hours of daily rest and one full day of weekly rest (usually Sunday). Governed by the Labour Code (Code du Travail).
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Gabon to Mexico would see a 35500% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mexico mandates 48 hours while Gabon mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mexico are $26,549 vs $62 in Gabon.
See this comparison from Gabon's perspective: Gabon vs Mexico
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Gabon?
In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Gabon, it is FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 35500% 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 Gabon may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Mexico compared to Gabon?
The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to FCFA555,000/mo ($996.41 USD) in Gabon. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 5% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Gabon is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Gabon earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Mexico.
How do work hours compare between Mexico and Gabon?
Mexico has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Gabon. Workers in Mexico work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Gabon 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 Gabon?
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 1.2x that of Gabon at $21,510. 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.