Key Facts: Mozambique vs Cuba Wages
- Mozambique Minimum Wage
- MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Mozambique
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Mozambique is roughly 20 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $282/mo in Mozambique versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 17.4:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 6.6%.
Mozambique's unemployment rate is 6.6% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mozambique | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MT38.60 $0.60 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | MT6,688 $104.75 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MT80,256 $1,256.95 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MT18,000 /mo $281.91 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MT15,500 /mo $242.76 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | MT60,000 /yr $939.70 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mozambique is higher.
Work Week
- Mozambique
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week and 8 hours per day. Overtime is limited to 96 hours per quarter and 200 hours per year. Overtime compensated at 150% for regular days and 200% for holidays and rest days.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Mozambique would see a 1945% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Mozambique mandates 48 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mozambique are $29 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Mozambique
Compare Mozambique with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mozambique or Cuba?
In Mozambique, the minimum wage is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Mozambique has the higher rate by 1945% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Mozambique compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Mozambique is MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Mozambique earn approximately 1638% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mozambique and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mozambique earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Mozambique and Cuba?
Mozambique has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Cuba. Workers in Mozambique work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Cuba 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.