Key Facts: Mexico vs Ghana Wages
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
- Ghana Minimum Wage
- GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
- Ghana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- GH₵3,500 /mo ($235.69 USD)
- Data Sources
- CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) / Ministry of Finance (MOFEP) / National Tripartite Committee; 2025-2026 daily rates per official gazettements (2026-05-27)
Mexico
Ghana
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 3020 times higher than in Ghana 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 $236/mo in Ghana, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Mexico is 3.3x that of Ghana, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Mexico has higher GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $8,020). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Ghana's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mexico | Ghana |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | GH₵2.72 $0.18 |
| Minimum wage /day | MX$315.04 $18.18 | GH₵21.77 $1.47 |
| Minimum wage /mo | MX$9,583.52 $553.10 | GH₵565.02 $38.05 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 | GH₵6,780.24 $456.58 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 | GH₵3,500 /mo $235.69 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 | GH₵3,000 /mo $202.02 |
| Median individual income /yr | MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 | GH₵12,000 /yr $808.08 |
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.
- Ghana
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime must be paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on rest days or public holidays at 2x.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ghana to Mexico would see a 301867% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mexico mandates 48 hours while Ghana mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mexico are $26,549 vs $7 in Ghana.
See this comparison from Ghana's perspective: Ghana vs Mexico
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Ghana?
In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Ghana, it is GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 301867% 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 Ghana 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 Ghana?
The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to GH₵3,500/mo ($235.69 USD) in Ghana. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 304% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Ghana 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 Ghana.
How do work hours compare between Mexico and Ghana?
Mexico has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Ghana. Workers in Mexico work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ghana 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 Ghana?
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 3.3x that of Ghana at $8,020. 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.