Key Facts: North Macedonia vs Cuba Wages
- North Macedonia Minimum Wage
- ден207/hr ($3.95 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- North Macedonia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ден55,000 /mo ($1,050.62 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
North Macedonia
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in North Macedonia is roughly 134 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: $1,051/mo in North Macedonia versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 64.8:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 12.3%.
North Macedonia's unemployment rate is 12.3% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Macedonia | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ден207 $3.95 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ден36,037 $688.39 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ден432,444 $8,260.63 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ден55,000 /mo $1,050.62 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ден38,000 /mo $725.88 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | ден264,000 /yr $5,042.98 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Macedonia is higher.
Work Week
- North Macedonia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Relations Law sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week, up to 190 hours per year. Overtime premium at least 35%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 35%. Work on rest days and holidays at least 50% premium.
- 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 North Macedonia would see a 13276% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: North Macedonia mandates 40 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in North Macedonia are $158 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs North Macedonia
Compare North Macedonia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Macedonia or Cuba?
In North Macedonia, the minimum wage is ден207/hr ($3.95 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). North Macedonia has the higher rate by 13276% 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 North Macedonia compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in North Macedonia is ден55,000/mo ($1,050.62 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in North Macedonia earn approximately 6378% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Macedonia and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in North Macedonia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between North Macedonia and Cuba?
Cuba has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in North Macedonia. Workers in North Macedonia work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in North Macedonia 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.