Key Facts: Morocco vs Benin Wages
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Benin Minimum Wage
- CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Benin Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 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), Ministry of Labour and Public Service / ILO (2026-02-25)
Morocco
Benin
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Morocco is 240% higher than in Benin when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $613/mo in Morocco versus $215/mo in Benin, a 2.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Morocco is 2.3x that of Benin, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Morocco's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Morocco's minimum wage buys more than Benin's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Morocco is $5 international dollars, compared to $1 in Benin. Morocco has higher GDP per capita ($10,415 vs $4,435). Morocco's unemployment rate is 9.0% compared to Benin's 1.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Morocco | Benin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MAD17.92 $1.83 | CFA300 $0.54 |
| Minimum wage /mo | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 | CFA52,000 $93.36 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | CFA624,000 $1,120.29 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 | CFA100,000 /mo $179.53 |
| Median individual income /yr | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 | CFA480,000 /yr $861.76 |
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.
- Benin
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.12x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours for non-agricultural sectors (48 hours for agriculture). Overtime from 41-48 hours paid at 112% of normal rate; hours exceeding 48 paid at 135%. Night work and weekend overtime carry higher premiums.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Benin to Morocco would see a 240% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Morocco mandates 44 hours while Benin mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Morocco are $81 vs $22 in Benin.
See this comparison from Benin's perspective: Benin vs Morocco
Compare Morocco with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Morocco or Benin?
In Morocco, the minimum wage is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). In Benin, it is CFA300/hr ($0.54 USD). Morocco has the higher rate by 240% 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 Benin 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 Benin?
The average gross salary in Morocco is MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Benin. In USD terms, workers in Morocco earn approximately 185% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Morocco and Benin 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 Benin.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Morocco or Benin?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Morocco can afford more than those in Benin. The PPP-adjusted rate is $5 in Morocco and $1 in Benin. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 206% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Benin appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Morocco and Benin?
Morocco has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Benin. Workers in Morocco work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Benin 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 Benin?
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 2.3x that of Benin at $4,435. 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.