Key Facts: Morocco vs Afghanistan Wages
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Afghanistan Minimum Wage
- ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Afghanistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ؋30,000 /mo ($474.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministère de l'Inclusion Économique, de la Petite Entreprise, de l'Emploi et des Compétences (miepeec.gov.ma); 2026 SMIG/SMAG figures verified (second stage of two-stage 10% increase agreed in April 2024 social dialogue) (2026-05-04), ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (2026-05-04)
Morocco
Afghanistan
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Morocco is roughly 48 times lower than in Afghanistan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Morocco at $613/mo compared to $475/mo in Afghanistan. GDP per capita (PPP) in Morocco is 4.7x that of Afghanistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Morocco has higher GDP per capita ($10,415 vs $2,202). Morocco's unemployment rate is 9.0% compared to Afghanistan's 13.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Morocco | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MAD17.92 $1.83 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 | ؋5,500 $87.05 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 | ؋30,000 /mo $474.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 | ؋26,000 /mo $411.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Morocco is higher.
Work Week
- Morocco
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 44 hours/week for non-agricultural sectors (2,288 hrs/year) and 48 hours/week for agriculture (2,496 hrs/year). Overtime: 25% premium for daytime hours, 50% for nighttime. On rest days/holidays: 50% daytime, 100% nighttime.
- Afghanistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (last version under previous government) set 40 hours/week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Under Taliban administration, Thursday is sometimes also observed as a rest day. Women's employment is severely restricted under Taliban policies.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Morocco earns 4651% less per hour in USD terms than one in Afghanistan. Standard work weeks differ: Morocco mandates 44 hours while Afghanistan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Morocco are $81 vs $3,482 in Afghanistan.
See this comparison from Afghanistan's perspective: Afghanistan vs Morocco
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Morocco or Afghanistan?
In Morocco, the minimum wage is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). In Afghanistan, it is ؋5,500/mo ($87.05 USD). Afghanistan has the higher rate by 4651% 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 Morocco may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Morocco compared to Afghanistan?
The average gross salary in Morocco is MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD), compared to ؋30,000/mo ($474.83 USD) in Afghanistan. In USD terms, workers in Morocco earn approximately 29% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Morocco and Afghanistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Morocco earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Afghanistan.
How do work hours compare between Morocco and Afghanistan?
Morocco has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Afghanistan. Workers in Morocco work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Afghanistan 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 Morocco and Afghanistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Morocco has the higher GDP per capita at $10,415, which is 4.7x that of Afghanistan at $2,202. From Morocco'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.