Key Facts: Morocco vs Sri Lanka Wages
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Sri Lanka Minimum Wage
- Rs135/hr ($0.45 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Sri Lanka Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Rs55,000 /mo ($183.95 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 Labour — Sri Lanka; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-04-01) (2026-05-04)
Morocco
Sri Lanka
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Morocco is 306% higher than in Sri Lanka when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $613/mo in Morocco versus $184/mo in Sri Lanka, a 3.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sri Lanka is 1.5x that of Morocco, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Morocco's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Morocco's minimum wage buys more than Sri Lanka's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Morocco is $5 international dollars, compared to $2 in Sri Lanka. Morocco has lower GDP per capita ($10,415 vs $15,633). Morocco's unemployment rate is 9.0% compared to Sri Lanka's 4.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Morocco | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MAD17.92 $1.83 | Rs135 $0.45 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Rs1,080 $3.61 |
| Minimum wage /mo | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 | Rs27,000 $90.30 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Rs324,000 $1,083.61 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 | Rs55,000 /mo $183.95 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 | Rs49,500 /mo $165.55 |
| Median individual income /yr | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 | Rs420,000 /yr $1,404.68 |
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.
- Sri Lanka
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Shop and Office Employees Act limits hours to 8 per day and 45 per week for commercial establishments. Factories Ordinance limits factory workers to similar hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the ordinary rate. Different rules apply to plantation workers and domestic workers. Public holidays: approximately 25 per year (Sri Lanka has one of the highest numbers of public holidays globally).
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Sri Lanka to Morocco would see a 306% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Morocco mandates 44 hours while Sri Lanka mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Morocco are $81 vs $20 in Sri Lanka.
See this comparison from Sri Lanka's perspective: Sri Lanka vs Morocco
Compare Morocco with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Morocco or Sri Lanka?
In Morocco, the minimum wage is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). In Sri Lanka, it is Rs135/hr ($0.45 USD). Morocco has the higher rate by 306% 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 Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka?
The average gross salary in Morocco is MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD), compared to Rs55,000/mo ($183.95 USD) in Sri Lanka. In USD terms, workers in Morocco earn approximately 234% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Morocco and Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Morocco or Sri Lanka?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Morocco can afford more than those in Sri Lanka. The PPP-adjusted rate is $5 in Morocco and $2 in Sri Lanka. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 193% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Sri Lanka appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Morocco and Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has a longer standard work week at 45 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 Sri Lanka?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Sri Lanka has the higher GDP per capita at $15,633, which is 1.5x 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.