Key Facts: Rwanda vs Cuba Wages
- Rwanda Minimum Wage
- FRw14.08/hr ($0.01 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Rwanda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FRw73,948 /mo ($50.61 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Public Service and Labour / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Rwanda
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Rwanda is 67% lower than in Cuba in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $51/mo in Rwanda versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 3.1:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 11.4%.
Rwanda's unemployment rate is 11.4% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Rwanda | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FRw14.08 $0.01 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | FRw2,440 $1.67 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FRw73,948 /mo $50.61 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | FRw62,000 /mo $42.44 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | FRw240,000 /yr $164.27 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Rwanda is higher.
Work Week
- Rwanda
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 55 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours per Law No. 66/2018 Regulating Labor in Rwanda. Overtime limited to 2 hours/day and 10 hours/week (max 55 hours total). Overtime permitted for urgent, exceptional, or seasonal work. Overtime compensation varies by sector agreement. Daily working hours typically 9 hours over 5 days.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Rwanda earns 207% less per hour in USD terms than one in Cuba. Standard work weeks differ: Rwanda mandates 45 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Rwanda are $0 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Rwanda
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Rwanda or Cuba?
In Rwanda, the minimum wage is FRw14.08/hr ($0.01 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Cuba has the higher rate by 207% 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 Rwanda may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Rwanda compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Rwanda is FRw73,948/mo ($50.61 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Rwanda earn approximately 212% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Rwanda and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Rwanda earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Rwanda and Cuba?
Rwanda has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in Cuba. Workers in Rwanda work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Cuba 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.