Key Facts: Nepal vs Mauritius Wages
- Nepal Minimum Wage
- Rs112.81/hr ($0.83 USD)
- Mauritius Minimum Wage
- ₨98.71/hr ($2.13 USD)
- Nepal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Rs32,000 /mo ($234.43 USD)
- Mauritius Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₨43,500 /mo ($937.70 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff July 2025) (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training / National Minimum Wage Regulations (2026-02-25)
Nepal
Mauritius
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Nepal is 61% lower than in Mauritius in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $234/mo in Nepal versus $938/mo in Mauritius, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Mauritius is 5.6x that of Nepal, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Nepal's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Nepal's minimum wage buys less than Mauritius'. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Nepal is $3 international dollars, compared to $6 in Mauritius. Nepal has lower GDP per capita ($5,737 vs $31,840). Nepal's unemployment rate is 10.5% compared to Mauritius' 5.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nepal | Mauritius |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | Rs112.81 $0.83 | ₨98.71 $2.13 |
| Minimum wage /day | Rs651.67 $4.77 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | Rs19,550 $143.22 | ₨17,110 $368.83 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Rs234,600 $1,718.68 | ₨205,320 $4,425.95 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Rs32,000 /mo $234.43 | ₨43,500 /mo $937.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Rs29,500 /mo $216.12 | ₨37,000 /mo $797.59 |
| Median individual income /yr | Rs180,000 /yr $1,318.68 | ₨276,000 /yr $5,949.56 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Nepal is higher.
Work Week
- Nepal
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2017 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 150% of normal rate, limited to 4 hours/day and 24 hours/week. Weekly rest of at least one day (Saturday is the traditional rest day). Tea estate and some other sector workers may have different arrangements under sectoral orders.
- Mauritius
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours, typically 5 days of 9 hours or 6 days of 7.5 hours. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate on regular days, 2x on public holidays and rest days. Governed by the Workers' Rights Act 2019 (which replaced the Employment Rights Act 2008). Overtime becomes payable after normal daily working hours.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Nepal earns 157% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mauritius. Standard work weeks differ: Nepal mandates 48 hours while Mauritius mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Nepal are $40 vs $96 in Mauritius.
See this comparison from Mauritius's perspective: Mauritius vs Nepal
Compare Nepal with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Nepal or Mauritius?
In Nepal, the minimum wage is Rs112.81/hr ($0.83 USD). In Mauritius, it is ₨98.71/hr ($2.13 USD). Mauritius has the higher rate by 157% 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 Nepal may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Nepal compared to Mauritius?
The average gross salary in Nepal is Rs32,000/mo ($234.43 USD), compared to ₨43,500/mo ($937.70 USD) in Mauritius. In USD terms, workers in Nepal earn approximately 300% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Nepal and Mauritius is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mauritius earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Nepal.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Nepal or Mauritius?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Mauritius can afford more than those in Nepal. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3 in Nepal and $6 in Mauritius. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 68% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Nepal appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Nepal and Mauritius?
Nepal has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Mauritius. Workers in Nepal work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mauritius 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 Nepal and Mauritius?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mauritius has the higher GDP per capita at $31,840, which is 5.6x that of Nepal at $5,737. From Nepal'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.