Key Facts: Moldova vs Cuba Wages
- Moldova Minimum Wage
- L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Moldova Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L15,500 /mo ($905.90 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of the Republic of Moldova / Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Moldova 
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Moldova is roughly 64 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $906/mo in Moldova versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 55.9:1 ratio.
Moldova's unemployment rate is 1.5% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Moldova | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L32.54 $1.90 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L5,500 $321.45 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L66,000 $3,857.39 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L15,500 /mo $905.90 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L12,400 /mo $724.72 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | L84,000 /yr $4,909.41 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Moldova is higher.
Work Week
- Moldova
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Reduced hours (35 hrs/week) for hazardous conditions. Overtime limited to 120 hours per year (240 with employee consent). Overtime premium at least 50% for first 2 hours and 100% thereafter. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Moldova would see a 6334% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Moldova mandates 40 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Moldova are $76 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Moldova
Compare Moldova with...
Moldova vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Moldova vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Moldova vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Moldova vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Moldova vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Moldova vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Moldova vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Moldova vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Moldova vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Moldova vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Moldova vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Moldova vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Moldova vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Moldova vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Moldova vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Moldova vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Moldova vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Moldova vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Moldova vs Switzerland 
Moldova vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Moldova vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Moldova vs Sweden 
Moldova vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Moldova vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Moldova or Cuba?
In Moldova, the minimum wage is L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Moldova has the higher rate by 6334% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Moldova compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Moldova is L15,500/mo ($905.90 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Moldova earn approximately 5486% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Moldova and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Moldova earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Moldova and Cuba?
Cuba has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Moldova. Workers in Moldova work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Moldova 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.