Key Facts: Qatar vs Mauritania Wages
- Qatar Minimum Wage
- QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25)
Qatar
Mauritania
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Qatar is roughly 524 times lower than in Mauritania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Qatar at $3,221/mo compared to $1,625/mo in Mauritania. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 17.1x that of Mauritania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Qatar has higher GDP per capita ($126,046 vs $7,369). Qatar's unemployment rate is 0.1% compared to Mauritania's 10.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Qatar | Mauritania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | QAR5.21 $1.43 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | UM1,200 $30 |
| Minimum wage /mo | QAR1,000 $274.73 | UM30,000 $750 |
| Minimum wage /yr | QAR12,000 $3,296.70 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 |
| 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.
- Mauritania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week, with Friday as the rest day. Arabic is the official language; French widely used in business. Some sectors may observe Thursday–Friday weekends.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Qatar earns 52299% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mauritania. Standard work weeks differ: Qatar mandates 48 hours while Mauritania mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Qatar are $69 vs $30,000 in Mauritania.
See this comparison from Mauritania's perspective: Mauritania vs Qatar
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Qatar or Mauritania?
In Qatar, the minimum wage is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). In Mauritania, it is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 52299% 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 Mauritania?
The average gross salary in Qatar is QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD), compared to UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD) in Mauritania. In USD terms, workers in Qatar earn approximately 98% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Qatar and Mauritania 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 Mauritania.
How do work hours compare between Qatar and Mauritania?
Qatar has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mauritania. Workers in Qatar work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mauritania 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 Mauritania?
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 17.1x that of Mauritania at $7,369. 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.