Key Facts: Singapore vs Mozambique Wages
- Singapore Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Mozambique Minimum Wage
- MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
- Singapore Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S$5,800 /mo ($4,539.05 USD)
- Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2026-06-01), Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25)
Singapore
Mozambique
Updated 2026-06-01
Singapore has no statutory minimum wage, while Mozambique sets a floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,539/mo in Singapore versus $282/mo in Mozambique, a 16.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Singapore is 88.4x that of Mozambique, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Singapore has higher GDP per capita ($150,689 vs $1,705). Singapore's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Mozambique's 6.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Singapore | Mozambique |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | MT38.60 $0.60 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | MT6,688 $104.75 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | MT80,256 $1,256.95 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | S$5,800 /mo $4,539.05 | MT18,000 /mo $281.91 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | S$4,930 /mo $3,858.19 | MT15,500 /mo $242.76 |
| Median individual income /yr | S$66,000 /yr $51,651.28 | MT60,000 /yr $939.70 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Singapore is higher.
Work Week
- Singapore
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act caps at 44 hours/week (8 hrs/day for 5-day week, or 9 hrs/day for fewer days). Overtime pay at 1.5x hourly basic rate, applies to non-workmen earning up to SGD 2,600/mo and workmen earning up to SGD 4,500/mo. Maximum overtime: 72 hours/month.
- Mozambique
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week and 8 hours per day. Overtime is limited to 96 hours per quarter and 200 hours per year. Overtime compensated at 150% for regular days and 200% for holidays and rest days.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Singapore mandates 44 hours while Mozambique mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from Mozambique's perspective: Mozambique vs Singapore
Compare Singapore with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Singapore or Mozambique?
In Singapore, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Mozambique, it is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Singapore compared to Mozambique?
The average gross salary in Singapore is S$5,800/mo ($4,539.05 USD), compared to MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD) in Mozambique. In USD terms, workers in Singapore earn approximately 1510% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Singapore and Mozambique is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Singapore earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Mozambique.
How do work hours compare between Singapore and Mozambique?
Mozambique has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Singapore. Workers in Singapore work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Singapore 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 Singapore and Mozambique?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Singapore has the higher GDP per capita at $150,689, which is 88.4x that of Mozambique at $1,705. From Singapore'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.