Key Facts: Poland vs Cameroon Wages
- Poland Minimum Wage
- zł31.40/hr ($8.64 USD)
- Cameroon Minimum Wage
- FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD)
- Poland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- zł8,800 /mo ($2,421.11 USD)
- Cameroon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA200,000 /mo ($359.07 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Family and Social Policy (Ministerstwo Rodziny i Polityki Spolecznej) (2026-05-15), Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale — Cameroon (2026-02-25)
Poland 
Cameroon
Updated 2026-05-15
The minimum wage in Poland is roughly 19 times higher than in Cameroon in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,421/mo in Poland versus $359/mo in Cameroon, a 6.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Poland is 9.2x that of Cameroon, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Poland's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Poland's minimum wage buys more than Cameroon's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Poland is $16 international dollars, compared to $1 in Cameroon. Poland has higher GDP per capita ($51,263 vs $5,589). Poland's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Cameroon's 3.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Poland | Cameroon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | zł31.40 $8.64 | FCFA254 $0.46 |
| Minimum wage /mo | zł4,806 $1,322.25 | FCFA43,969 $78.94 |
| Minimum wage /yr | zł57,672 $15,867.06 | FCFA527,628 $947.27 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | zł8,800 /mo $2,421.11 | FCFA200,000 /mo $359.07 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | zł6,410 /mo $1,763.56 | FCFA170,000 /mo $305.21 |
| Median individual income /yr | zł79,692 /yr $21,925.33 | FCFA600,000 /yr $1,077.20 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Poland is higher.
Work Week
- Poland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime premium: 50% for weekdays, 100% for nights, Sundays, and public holidays. Annual overtime cap of 150 hours unless modified by collective agreement.
- Cameroon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week for non-agricultural workers and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 120% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 140% for subsequent hours. Night work and holiday work have higher multipliers.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cameroon to Poland would see a 1794% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Cameroon's perspective: Cameroon vs Poland
Compare Poland with...
Poland vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Poland vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Poland vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Poland vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Poland vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Poland vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Poland vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Poland vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Poland vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Poland vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Poland vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Poland vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Poland vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Poland vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Poland vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Poland vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Poland vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Poland vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Poland vs Switzerland 
Poland vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Poland vs Sweden 
Poland vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Poland vs Singapore 
Poland vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Poland or Cameroon?
In Poland, the minimum wage is zł31.40/hr ($8.64 USD). In Cameroon, it is FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD). Poland has the higher rate by 1794% 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 Cameroon may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Poland compared to Cameroon?
The average gross salary in Poland is zł8,800/mo ($2,421.11 USD), compared to FCFA200,000/mo ($359.07 USD) in Cameroon. In USD terms, workers in Poland earn approximately 574% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Poland and Cameroon is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Poland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cameroon.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Poland or Cameroon?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Poland can afford more than those in Cameroon. The PPP-adjusted rate is $16 in Poland and $1 in Cameroon. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 1159% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Cameroon appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Poland and Cameroon?
Both Poland and Cameroon mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Poland and Cameroon?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Poland has the higher GDP per capita at $51,263, which is 9.2x that of Cameroon at $5,589. From Poland's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.