Key Facts: Tunisia vs Mauritania Wages
- Tunisia Minimum Wage
- TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD)
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Tunisia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TND1,200 /mo ($383.39 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministère des Affaires Sociales / SMIG/SMAG decrees (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25)
Tunisia
Mauritania
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Tunisia is roughly 1017 times lower than in Mauritania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $383/mo in Tunisia versus $1,625/mo in Mauritania, a 4.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Tunisia is 2.0x that of Mauritania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Tunisia has higher GDP per capita ($14,521 vs $7,369). Tunisia's unemployment rate is 15.1% compared to Mauritania's 10.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Tunisia | Mauritania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | TND2.31 $0.74 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | TND16 $5.11 | UM1,200 $30 |
| Minimum wage /mo | TND480 $153.35 | UM30,000 $750 |
| Minimum wage /yr | TND5,760 $1,840.26 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | TND1,200 /mo $383.39 | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | TND1,020 /mo $325.88 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | TND7,200 /yr $2,300.32 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Tunisia is higher.
Work Week
- Tunisia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.75x pay
Labour Code allows both 48-hour and 40-hour regimes depending on sector and collective agreements. Most industrial/services workers are on 48 hours. Overtime surcharge: 75% for daytime hours beyond standard. Night and holiday overtime receive higher premiums. The 40-hour regime is increasingly common in services and offices.
- 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 Tunisia earns 101567% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mauritania. Standard work weeks differ: Tunisia mandates 48 hours while Mauritania mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Tunisia are $35 vs $30,000 in Mauritania.
See this comparison from Mauritania's perspective: Mauritania vs Tunisia
Compare Tunisia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Tunisia or Mauritania?
In Tunisia, the minimum wage is TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD). In Mauritania, it is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 101567% 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 Tunisia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Tunisia compared to Mauritania?
The average gross salary in Tunisia is TND1,200/mo ($383.39 USD), compared to UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD) in Mauritania. In USD terms, workers in Tunisia earn approximately 324% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Tunisia and Mauritania is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mauritania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Tunisia.
How do work hours compare between Tunisia and Mauritania?
Tunisia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mauritania. Workers in Tunisia 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 Tunisia and Mauritania?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Tunisia has the higher GDP per capita at $14,521, which is 2.0x that of Mauritania at $7,369. From Tunisia'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.