This additive has been banned from cosmetics, but not from food
McDonald's is the world's most famous fast-food chain. The iconic golden arches can be found in 120 countries and territories, but the prices of menu items vary greatly across the globe. Production costs, salaries, inflation, and many other factors influence the average price of a meal at McDonald's.
In this gallery, we compare prices of a regular meal (i.e. a burger, fries, and drink, or similar) in 30 countries. The price of this McMeal is calculated based on data from the cost of living site Numbeo. All prices are in US dollars. Click through the gallery to get started.
A McMeal in the Philippines costs $3.44. McDonald’s crew members earn 55 pesos, (the equivalent of $0.95) an hour.
You can get a meal for $4 at any of the 371 McDonalds in Malaysia. Prices are low, but so are wages, at $1.33 per hour for a crew member in Kuala Lumpur.
Beef is not served in Indian McDonald’s due to religious reasons. For instance, the Indian version of the Big Mac is the Maharaja Mac, which has a chicken or vegetarian patty instead. As for the average price of a meal, it’s $4.08.
South Africa is one of the few countries in the African continent where you’ll find McDonald’s. Expect to pay around $4.60 for a McMeal.
With 5,903 restaurants, China has the second-highest number of McDonald's in the world. A meal at one of these restaurants comes in at $4.93.
Another Asian McDonald’s powerhouse, Japan boasts a whopping 2,982 McDonald's. Prices are surprisingly low, considering the country’s economy, at $5.05 for a meal.
A typical meal, including a burger, fries, and a drink, costs around $5.45 in South Korea. This is the most affordable on the list in relation to the nation’s average salaries.
The South American nation is the second biggest beef producer in the world. This helps keep costs low for McDonald’s, with a McMeal averaging $5.69.
McDonald's prices in Thailand are also pretty affordable, at $5.80 for a meal. The country has a big street food culture, so competition is fierce.
There are less than 30 McDonald’s restaurants in the third-largest country in South America. A McMeal will set you back $5.86.
Colombia may have affordable McMeals at an international level, but prices are quite high, considering the average wages in the country. A meal costs $6.77.
Unlike the previous entry, McDonald's is quite affordable in this Asian country. Singapore salaries are pretty high, so a McMeal comes in cheap at $7.30.
Mexican McDonald's is more of a premium fast-food chain, when compared to the cheaper street food alternatives. A meal costs $7.30, which is fairly expensive for the average person in the country.
McDonald's has 97 restaurants in the country. Like Mexico, the fast-food chain is also positioned as more of an expensive alternative, at $7.47 for a McMeal.
Since the mid-'90s, the price of a Big Mac in the country has risen faster than inflation. However, a McMeal is still relatively cheap, considering the national wages, at $8.41.
The nation has one of the most affordable McMeal prices in Europe, at $9.24. Production costs are also pretty low, compared to other European nations. Crew members are paid around $9 per hour.
With 1,436 restaurants, the UK is one of McDonald’s strongholds in Europe. A meal at one of these restaurants will set you back $9.30.
A meal at Macca’s comes in at $9.32, which is relatively cheap, considering the country’s wages.
McDonald's suffered a boycott after Israel gave out thousands of meals to its soldiers. The UAE franchise, which is owned and operated by Emirates Fast Food Company LLC, has tried to make a statement by donating to the Gaza relief effort, but the brand is still recovering from the reputational damage. A McMeal costs $9.53.
Expect to pay $10 for a regular McDonald’s meal combo in Argentina. While production costs are mostly affordable, high inflation also plays a role in the pricing.
The price of a McMeal in Ireland is $10.17. There are, however, affordable alternatives if one opts for items from the Eurosaver menu.
With 1,560 locations, France has more McDonald’s restaurants than any other European nation. A meal at McDo costs around $10.27.
Expect to pay an average of $10.27 for a McMeal in this European country, although prices vary depending on the outlet.
Salaries in Germany are high enough to pay for a $10.27 meal at McDonald’s. There is, however, a cheaper alternative: combos from the McSmart-Menü, which come in at around half the price.
The average price of a McMeal in Belgium is similar to the one in Germany, at $10.27. And expect to pay an extra $1.04 for condiments such as ketchup or mayo.
McDonald’s opened its first franchise outside the US in Richmond, British Columbia, in 1967. A regular combo meal sets you back around $10.42.
With 13,457 outlets across the nation, the home of McDonalds also has one of the highest prices for a meal, at $11. There have been some promotional meal deals over the years, the latest one in 2024 costing $5.
The Dutch pay a lot for a McDonald's meal: $12.33. Prices also vary across the country. For instance, a Big Mac Meal costs €9.75 in Rotterdam, but €15.05 in Hengelo, or Enschede.
Danish McDonald's has the second-highest meal prices in Europe. Expect to pay an average of $13.35 for one.
If you thought the fast-food chain was affordable, think again. In Switzerland, an average meal at McDonald's will set you back $16.46. The country also has the most expensive Big Mac in the world, at over $8.
Sources: (Numbeo) (Love Money)
See also: Trump and other celebrities who once worked at McDonald’s
Here's how much a McDonald's meal costs around the world
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FOOD Price
McDonald's is the world's most famous fast-food chain. The iconic golden arches can be found in 120 countries and territories, but the prices of menu items vary greatly across the globe. Production costs, salaries, inflation, and many other factors influence the average price of a meal at McDonald's.
In this gallery, we compare prices of a regular meal (i.e. a burger, fries, and drink, or similar) in 30 countries. The price of this McMeal is calculated based on data from the cost of living site Numbeo. All prices are in US dollars. Click through the gallery to get started.