Key Facts: Morocco vs Macau Wages
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Macau Minimum Wage
- MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Macau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MOP$18,000 /mo ($2,233.25 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), Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) — Macau SAR (2026-02-25)
Morocco
Macau
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Morocco is 58% lower than in Macau in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $613/mo in Morocco versus $2,233/mo in Macau, a 3.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Macau is 12.2x that of Morocco, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Morocco's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Morocco's minimum wage buys less than Macau's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Morocco is $5 international dollars, compared to $8 in Macau. Morocco has lower GDP per capita ($10,415 vs $126,960). Morocco's unemployment rate is 9.0% compared to Macau's 2.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Morocco | Macau |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MAD17.92 $1.83 | MOP$35 $4.34 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | MOP$280 $34.74 |
| Minimum wage /mo | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 | MOP$7,280 $903.23 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | MOP$87,360 $10,838.71 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 | MOP$18,000 /mo $2,233.25 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 | MOP$16,560 /mo $2,054.59 |
| Median individual income /yr | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 | MOP$216,000 /yr $26,799.01 |
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.
- Macau
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Maximum working hours are 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Relations Law (Law No. 7/2008). Overtime is not explicitly regulated by multiplier in law but must be compensated fairly. In practice, most employers pay 1.5x for overtime. Casino workers often work in shifts. The government sector works shorter hours (typically 36 hours/week).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Morocco earns 137% less per hour in USD terms than one in Macau. Standard work weeks differ: Morocco mandates 44 hours while Macau mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Morocco are $81 vs $208 in Macau.
See this comparison from Macau's perspective: Macau vs Morocco
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Morocco or Macau?
In Morocco, the minimum wage is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). In Macau, it is MOP$35/hr ($4.34 USD). Macau has the higher rate by 137% 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 less does the average worker earn in Morocco compared to Macau?
The average gross salary in Morocco is MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD), compared to MOP$18,000/mo ($2,233.25 USD) in Macau. In USD terms, workers in Morocco earn approximately 264% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Morocco and Macau is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Macau earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Morocco.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Morocco or Macau?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Macau can afford more than those in Morocco. The PPP-adjusted rate is $5 in Morocco and $8 in Macau. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 70% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Morocco appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Morocco and Macau?
Macau has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Morocco. Workers in Morocco work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Morocco 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 Macau?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Macau has the higher GDP per capita at $126,960, which is 12.2x 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.