Key Facts: Namibia vs Cuba Wages
- Namibia Minimum Wage
- N$18/hr ($1.13 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Namibia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- N$13,500 /mo ($845.34 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation / Wage Order 2024 (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Namibia 
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Namibia is roughly 38 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $845/mo in Namibia versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 52.1:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 19.3%.
Namibia's unemployment rate is 19.3% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Namibia | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | N$18 $1.13 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | N$3,510 $219.79 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | N$42,120 $2,637.45 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | N$13,500 /mo $845.34 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N$11,000 /mo $688.79 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | N$48,000 /yr $3,005.64 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Namibia is higher.
Work Week
- Namibia
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act sets maximum ordinary hours at 45 per week (9 hrs/day for 5-day week, 8 hrs/day for 6-day week). Overtime limited to 10 hours/week and 3 hours/day. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Rest days at 2x. Daily rest period of at least 12 consecutive hours. Weekly rest of at least 36 consecutive hours (ideally including Sunday). Annual leave: 20 working days for 5-day week.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Namibia would see a 3713% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Namibia mandates 45 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Namibia are $51 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Namibia
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Namibia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Namibia or Cuba?
In Namibia, the minimum wage is N$18/hr ($1.13 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Namibia has the higher rate by 3713% 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 Namibia compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Namibia is N$13,500/mo ($845.34 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Namibia earn approximately 5113% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Namibia and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Namibia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Namibia and Cuba?
Namibia has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in Cuba. Workers in Namibia work 45 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.