Key Facts: Zimbabwe vs Cuba Wages
- Zimbabwe Minimum Wage
- $0.87/hr
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Zimbabwe Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $253 /mo ($253 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare — Zimbabwe (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Zimbabwe 
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Zimbabwe is roughly 29 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $253/mo in Zimbabwe versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 15.6:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 9.3%.
Zimbabwe's unemployment rate is 9.3% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Zimbabwe | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $0.87 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $150 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $1,800 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $253 /mo | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $220 /mo | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | $1,200 /yr | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Zimbabwe is higher.
Work Week
- Zimbabwe
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act sets maximum working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week). Overtime is limited and must be compensated at 150% of normal rate. Sunday and public holiday work at 200%.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Zimbabwe would see a 2843% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Zimbabwe mandates 45 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Zimbabwe are $39 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Zimbabwe
Compare Zimbabwe with...
Zimbabwe vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Zimbabwe vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Zimbabwe vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Switzerland 
Zimbabwe vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Zimbabwe vs Sweden 
Zimbabwe vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Zimbabwe vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Zimbabwe or Cuba?
In Zimbabwe, the minimum wage is $0.87/hr. In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Zimbabwe has the higher rate by 2843% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Zimbabwe compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Zimbabwe is $253/mo, compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Zimbabwe earn approximately 1460% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Zimbabwe and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Zimbabwe earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Zimbabwe and Cuba?
Zimbabwe has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 44 hours in Cuba. Workers in Zimbabwe 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.