Key Facts: Mozambique vs Norway Wages
- Mozambique Minimum Wage
- MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Mozambique
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Mozambique mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $282/mo in Mozambique versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 21.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 59.8x that of Mozambique, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Mozambique has lower GDP per capita ($1,705 vs $102,038). Mozambique's unemployment rate is 6.6% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mozambique | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MT38.60 $0.60 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | MT6,688 $104.75 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | MT80,256 $1,256.95 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MT18,000 /mo $281.91 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MT15,500 /mo $242.76 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | MT60,000 /yr $939.70 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
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.
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Mozambique mandates 48 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Mozambique
Compare Mozambique with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mozambique or Norway?
In Mozambique, the minimum wage is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Mozambique compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Mozambique is MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Mozambique earn approximately 2012% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mozambique and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway 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 Norway?
Mozambique has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Mozambique work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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 Norway?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 59.8x 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.