Key Facts: Timor-Leste vs Morocco Wages
- Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
- $115/mo
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministère de l'Inclusion Économique, de la Petite Entreprise, de l'Emploi et des Compétences (miepeec.gov.ma); 2026 SMIG/SMAG figures verified (second stage of two-stage 10% increase agreed in April 2024 social dialogue) (2026-05-04)
Timor-Leste
Morocco
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Timor-Leste is roughly 63 times higher than in Morocco in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Timor-Leste at $350/mo compared to $613/mo in Morocco. GDP per capita (PPP) in Morocco is 2.4x that of Timor-Leste, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Timor-Leste has lower GDP per capita ($4,423 vs $10,415). Timor-Leste's unemployment rate is 1.6% compared to Morocco's 9.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Timor-Leste | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | MAD17.92 $1.83 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $115 | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $1,380 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $350 /mo | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $330 /mo | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,500 /yr | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Timor-Leste is higher.
Work Week
- Timor-Leste
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 52 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Timor-Leste Labour Code sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 52 hours. Overtime is compensated at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays and Sundays is at 2x.
- Morocco
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 44 hours/week for non-agricultural sectors (2,288 hrs/year) and 48 hours/week for agriculture (2,496 hrs/year). Overtime: 25% premium for daytime hours, 50% for nighttime. On rest days/holidays: 50% daytime, 100% nighttime.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Morocco to Timor-Leste would see a 6176% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Timor-Leste mandates 40 hours while Morocco mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Timor-Leste are $4,600 vs $81 in Morocco.
See this comparison from Morocco's perspective: Morocco vs Timor-Leste
Compare Timor-Leste with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Timor-Leste or Morocco?
In Timor-Leste, the minimum wage is $115/mo. In Morocco, it is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 6176% 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 Morocco may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Timor-Leste compared to Morocco?
The average gross salary in Timor-Leste is $350/mo, compared to MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD) in Morocco. In USD terms, workers in Timor-Leste earn approximately 75% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Timor-Leste and Morocco is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Morocco earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Timor-Leste.
How do work hours compare between Timor-Leste and Morocco?
Morocco has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Timor-Leste. Workers in Timor-Leste work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Timor-Leste 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 Timor-Leste and Morocco?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Morocco has the higher GDP per capita at $10,415, which is 2.4x that of Timor-Leste at $4,423. From Timor-Leste's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.