Key Facts: Thailand vs Mali Wages
- Thailand Minimum Wage
- ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD)
- Mali Minimum Wage
- CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD)
- Thailand Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ฿15,700 /mo ($482.26 USD)
- Mali Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour / National Wage Committee (2026-05-27), Mali Ministry of Labour and Civil Service / ILO (2026-02-25)
Thailand
Mali
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Thailand is roughly 925 times higher than in Mali in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $482/mo in Thailand versus $215/mo in Mali, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Thailand is 7.5x that of Mali, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Thailand has higher GDP per capita ($24,712 vs $3,315). Thailand's unemployment rate is 0.8% compared to Mali's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Thailand | Mali |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CFA192.30 $0.35 |
| Minimum wage /day | ฿400 $12.29 | CFA1,538 $2.76 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ฿10,400 $319.46 | CFA40,000 $71.81 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ฿124,800 $3,833.51 | CFA480,000 $861.76 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ฿15,700 /mo $482.26 | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ฿14,915 /mo $458.15 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | CFA360,000 /yr $646.32 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Thailand is higher.
Work Week
- Thailand
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Protection Act sets maximum 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week for general work (42 hours for hazardous work). Overtime at 1.5x base rate. Holiday work at 1x additional. Holiday overtime at 3x. Employees cannot be forced to work more than 36 overtime hours per week.
- Mali
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.15x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 92-020 of 23 September 1992, amended) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime rates: 115% for day hours; 130% for hours between 21:00 and 05:00 on weekdays; 150% for Sunday daytime; 200% for night hours on Sundays/holidays. Workers are entitled to 2.5 days of paid leave per month worked (30 days/year). Friday prayers (Jumu'ah) are accommodated — Mali is ~90% Muslim.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Mali to Thailand would see a 92432% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Thailand mandates 48 hours while Mali mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Thailand are $15,334 vs $14 in Mali.
See this comparison from Mali's perspective: Mali vs Thailand
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Thailand or Mali?
In Thailand, the minimum wage is ฿10,400/mo ($319.46 USD). In Mali, it is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD). Thailand has the higher rate by 92432% 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 Mali may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Thailand compared to Mali?
The average gross salary in Thailand is ฿15,700/mo ($482.26 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Mali. In USD terms, workers in Thailand earn approximately 124% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Thailand and Mali is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Thailand earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Mali.
How do work hours compare between Thailand and Mali?
Thailand has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mali. Workers in Thailand work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mali 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 Thailand and Mali?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Thailand has the higher GDP per capita at $24,712, which is 7.5x that of Mali at $3,315. From Thailand'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.