Key Facts: Qatar vs Guinea-Bissau Wages
- Qatar Minimum Wage
- QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
- Guinea-Bissau Minimum Wage
- CFA19,030/mo ($34.17 USD)
- Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
- Guinea-Bissau Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA95,000 /mo ($170.56 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24), ILOSTAT (DF_EAR_INEE_CUR_NB, 2024 reporting); confirmed via Wikipedia master list (citation [95]) (2026-05-04)
Qatar
Guinea-Bissau
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Qatar is roughly 24 times lower than in Guinea-Bissau in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,221/mo in Qatar versus $171/mo in Guinea-Bissau, a 18.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 40.4x that of Guinea-Bissau, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Qatar has higher GDP per capita ($126,046 vs $3,119). Qatar's unemployment rate is 0.1% compared to Guinea-Bissau's 2.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Qatar | Guinea-Bissau |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | QAR5.21 $1.43 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | CFA761 $1.37 |
| Minimum wage /mo | QAR1,000 $274.73 | CFA19,030 $34.17 |
| Minimum wage /yr | QAR12,000 $3,296.70 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 | CFA95,000 /mo $170.56 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 | N/A/mo |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Qatar is higher.
Work Week
- Qatar
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium: 25% of basic wage. Work between 9pm and 6am attracts a 50% premium. Government sector typically works 35-40 hours/week.
- Guinea-Bissau
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week as the standard. Overtime provisions apply to formal employment. Portuguese is the official language; labour law reflects Lusophone and OHADA traditions.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Qatar earns 2287% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guinea-Bissau. Standard work weeks differ: Qatar mandates 48 hours while Guinea-Bissau mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Qatar are $69 vs $1,367 in Guinea-Bissau.
See this comparison from Guinea-Bissau's perspective: Guinea-Bissau vs Qatar
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Qatar or Guinea-Bissau?
In Qatar, the minimum wage is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). In Guinea-Bissau, it is CFA19,030/mo ($34.17 USD). Guinea-Bissau has the higher rate by 2287% 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 Qatar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Qatar compared to Guinea-Bissau?
The average gross salary in Qatar is QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD), compared to CFA95,000/mo ($170.56 USD) in Guinea-Bissau. In USD terms, workers in Qatar earn approximately 1788% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Qatar and Guinea-Bissau is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Qatar earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Guinea-Bissau.
How do work hours compare between Qatar and Guinea-Bissau?
Qatar has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guinea-Bissau. Workers in Qatar work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Guinea-Bissau 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 Qatar and Guinea-Bissau?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Qatar has the higher GDP per capita at $126,046, which is 40.4x that of Guinea-Bissau at $3,119. From Qatar'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.