Key Facts: Mozambique vs Mauritania Wages
- Mozambique Minimum Wage
- MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25)
Mozambique
Mauritania
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Mozambique is roughly 1241 times lower than in Mauritania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $282/mo in Mozambique versus $1,625/mo in Mauritania, a 5.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Mauritania is 4.3x that of Mozambique, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Mozambique has lower GDP per capita ($1,705 vs $7,369). Mozambique's unemployment rate is 6.6% compared to Mauritania's 10.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mozambique | Mauritania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MT38.60 $0.60 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | UM1,200 $30 |
| Minimum wage /mo | MT6,688 $104.75 | UM30,000 $750 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MT80,256 $1,256.95 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MT18,000 /mo $281.91 | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MT15,500 /mo $242.76 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | MT60,000 /yr $939.70 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Mauritania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week, with Friday as the rest day. Arabic is the official language; French widely used in business. Some sectors may observe Thursday–Friday weekends.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Mozambique earns 123961% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mauritania. Standard work weeks differ: Mozambique mandates 48 hours while Mauritania mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Mozambique are $29 vs $30,000 in Mauritania.
See this comparison from Mauritania's perspective: Mauritania vs Mozambique
Compare Mozambique with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mozambique or Mauritania?
In Mozambique, the minimum wage is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD). In Mauritania, it is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 123961% 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 Mozambique may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Mozambique compared to Mauritania?
The average gross salary in Mozambique is MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD), compared to UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD) in Mauritania. In USD terms, workers in Mozambique earn approximately 476% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mozambique and Mauritania is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mauritania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Mozambique.
How do work hours compare between Mozambique and Mauritania?
Mozambique has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mauritania. Workers in Mozambique work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mauritania 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 Mozambique and Mauritania?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mauritania has the higher GDP per capita at $7,369, which is 4.3x that of Mozambique at $1,705. From Mozambique'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.