Key Facts: Morocco vs Malta Wages
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Malta Minimum Wage
- €5.74/hr ($6.68 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Malta Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,100 /mo ($2,445.56 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), Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER); 2026 rate per DIER Resource Pack (dier.gov.mt) (2026-05-27)
Morocco
Malta
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Morocco is 73% lower than in Malta in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $613/mo in Morocco versus $2,446/mo in Malta, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Malta is 6.7x that of Morocco, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Morocco's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Morocco's minimum wage buys less than Malta's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Morocco is $5 international dollars, compared to $10 in Malta. Morocco has lower GDP per capita ($10,415 vs $69,864). Morocco's unemployment rate is 9.0% compared to Malta's 2.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Morocco | Malta |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MAD17.92 $1.83 | €5.74 $6.68 |
| Minimum wage /wk | — | €229.44 $267.19 |
| Minimum wage /mo | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 | €994.24 $1,157.84 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | €11,930.88 $13,894.12 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 | €2,100 /mo $2,445.56 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 | €1,750 /mo $2,037.96 |
| Median individual income /yr | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 | €17,000 /yr $19,797.37 |
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.
- Malta
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Maximum 48 hours/week averaged over a 17-week reference period. Overtime premium is at least 50% for weekdays and 100% for Sundays and public holidays.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Morocco earns 265% less per hour in USD terms than one in Malta. Standard work weeks differ: Morocco mandates 44 hours while Malta mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Morocco are $81 vs $267 in Malta.
See this comparison from Malta's perspective: Malta vs Morocco
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Morocco or Malta?
In Morocco, the minimum wage is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). In Malta, it is €5.74/hr ($6.68 USD). Malta has the higher rate by 265% 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 Malta?
The average gross salary in Morocco is MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD), compared to €2,100/mo ($2,445.56 USD) in Malta. In USD terms, workers in Morocco earn approximately 299% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Morocco and Malta is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Malta 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 Malta?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Malta can afford more than those in Morocco. The PPP-adjusted rate is $5 in Morocco and $10 in Malta. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 119% 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 Malta?
Morocco has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Malta. Workers in Morocco work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Malta 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 Malta?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Malta has the higher GDP per capita at $69,864, which is 6.7x 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.