Key Facts: Moldova vs Guinea Wages
- Moldova Minimum Wage
- L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD)
- Guinea Minimum Wage
- FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD)
- Moldova Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L15,500 /mo ($905.90 USD)
- Guinea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FG1,500,000 /mo ($174.01 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of the Republic of Moldova / Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Fonction Publique (Guinea) (2026-02-25)
Moldova
Guinea
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Moldova is roughly 27 times lower than in Guinea in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $906/mo in Moldova versus $174/mo in Guinea, a 5.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Moldova is 4.1x that of Guinea, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Moldova has higher GDP per capita ($18,615 vs $4,565). Moldova's unemployment rate is 1.5% compared to Guinea's 5.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Moldova | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L32.54 $1.90 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | L5,500 $321.45 | FG440,000 $51.04 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L66,000 $3,857.39 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L15,500 /mo $905.90 | FG1,500,000 /mo $174.01 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L12,400 /mo $724.72 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | L84,000 /yr $4,909.41 | FG3,000,000 /yr $348.03 |
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%.
- Guinea
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week for formal-sector employees. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for weekday hours, 2x for work on rest days. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Moldova earns 2584% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guinea.
See this comparison from Guinea's perspective: Guinea vs Moldova
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Moldova or Guinea?
In Moldova, the minimum wage is L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD). In Guinea, it is FG440,000/mo ($51.04 USD). Guinea has the higher rate by 2584% 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 Moldova 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 Guinea?
The average gross salary in Moldova is L15,500/mo ($905.90 USD), compared to FG1,500,000/mo ($174.01 USD) in Guinea. In USD terms, workers in Moldova earn approximately 421% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Moldova and Guinea 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 Guinea.
How do work hours compare between Moldova and Guinea?
Both Moldova and Guinea 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 Moldova and Guinea?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Moldova has the higher GDP per capita at $18,615, which is 4.1x that of Guinea at $4,565. From Moldova'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.