Key Facts: Morocco vs Iceland Wages
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Iceland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 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), Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24)
Morocco
Iceland
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike Iceland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Morocco mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $613/mo in Morocco versus $6,479/mo in Iceland, a 10.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iceland is 8.1x that of Morocco, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Morocco has lower GDP per capita ($10,415 vs $84,257). Morocco's unemployment rate is 9.0% compared to Iceland's 3.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Morocco | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MAD17.92 $1.83 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 | kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 | kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 |
| Median individual income /yr | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 | kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 |
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.
- Iceland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.8x pay
Standard working week is 40 hours (set by collective agreements). The Act on Working Environment and Health sets maximum average of 48 hours/week per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime premiums are set by collective agreements, typically 80% premium (1.8x) for daytime overtime, higher for evenings/weekends. A landmark 2021 agreement reduced standard hours from 40 to 36 for many public sector workers, with the private sector gradually following.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Morocco mandates 44 hours while Iceland mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Iceland's perspective: Iceland vs Morocco
Compare Morocco with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Morocco or Iceland?
In Morocco, the minimum wage is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). In Iceland, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Morocco compared to Iceland?
The average gross salary in Morocco is MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD), compared to kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD) in Iceland. In USD terms, workers in Morocco earn approximately 956% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Morocco and Iceland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iceland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Morocco.
How do work hours compare between Morocco and Iceland?
Morocco has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Iceland. Workers in Morocco work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Iceland 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 Iceland?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iceland has the higher GDP per capita at $84,257, which is 8.1x that of Morocco at $10,415. From Morocco's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.