Founded in 1940 in San Bernardino, California, McDonald's has spread its golden arches around the world and now operates in more than 118 countries. A ubiquitous icon of American culture, the fast food chain counts over 41,000 locations globally. But while the brand offers a sense of familiarity wherever you are on the planet, menu items are adapted to local cultures, and the cost of a McMeal varies wildly from nation to nation.

Read on to discover the typical price for a burger, fries and drink (or similar combo) in 30 selected countries based on data from cost of living site Numbeo. 

All dollar amounts in US dollars and prices correct as of 3 January 2025.

A key reason for the price differences is the vast variation in operational costs, including commercial property prices, wages, taxes and ingredient sourcing. Even within the same country, these factors can differ significantly.

Plus, since around 90% of McDonald's restaurants are franchises, they have the freedom to customise their menus to cater to local preferences, run different offers and promotions and set their own prices. This store-level flexibility contributes to the global price disparity. And much comes down to what people are willing to pay from location to location.

Now let's take a look at what you'll pay in 30 selected countries, from the cheapest to the most expensive...

The cost of a McMeal amounts to just $3.44 (£2.78) in the Philippines. Among the 97 countries covered by Numbeo, the nation is the second-cheapest after Indonesia. Pakistan offers the most affordable Happy Meal, while according to The Economist's Big Mac Index, which was invented in 1986 as a fun way of figuring out if currencies are over or undervalued, Taiwan has the cheapest Big Mac, coming in at only $2.28 (£1.80).

Running costs are rock-bottom in the Philippines. By way of example, crew members earn a mere 55 pesos (93¢/74p) an hour on average, which helps keep prices super-low.

Nicknamed Mekdi in the country, McDonald's counts 371 locations in Malaysia, fewer than the Philippines and India, which have 740 and 581 respectively.

McDonald's Malaysia recently resurrected the much-loved Prosperity Burger, which features either beef or chicken in a signature black pepper sauce. But given its affordable price tag, customers don't have to be prosperous to savour it. Again, low wages by international standards help keep prices low, with hourly pay for a crew member in Kuala Lumpur averaging just 6 ringgit ($1.33/£1.05), according to employment website Glassdoor.

McDonald's crew members in India earn even less, with an average hourly pay of just 60 rupees (£70¢/56p). India is also one of the cheapest countries in the world when it comes to food prices.

Another factor contributing to the lower cost of a McMeal in India is the absence of beef from the menu due to religious reasons. Beef is a relatively expensive meat, and its exclusion allows McDonald's to offer more affordable meal options. Instead of the Big Mac, Indian customers can enjoy the Maharaja Mac, which features chicken or a corn and cheese patty as its primary protein.

McDonald's operates in just four countries and one territory in Africa: Morocco, Egypt, Mauritius, South Africa and Reunión. South Africa has the most outlets at 377.

Low operational costs lead to lower prices for the customer, with the average pay per hour for a crew member only 28 rand ($1.53/£1.22), according to data company Payscale. Indeed, a Big Mac in the country starts from just 51.9 rand ($2.84/£2.25).

Mainland China boasts the second-highest number of McDonald's locations in the world, with 5,903 restaurants in total. This huge number translates to lower prices, thanks to economies of scale.

McDonald's hiked prices in the country in 2023 but faces stiff competition. With the chain on a major expansion drive in the People's Republic, it's becoming more dependent on promotions, meaning average prices will likely fall in the future.

Japan has the second-highest number of McDonald's outlets in Asia at 2,982. Menu prices are remarkably affordable from a global point of view. This has a lot to do with Japan's low inflation rate and the depreciation of the yen, on top of economies of scale and other factors like cheap imported Australian beef.

Moreover, among the 30 countries in our round-up, McDonald's prices in Japan are among the cheapest in relation to the average wage after tax, which makes a McMeal in the country an especially affordable treat for locals.

South Koreans pay even less in a comparative sense for their McMeal, with the typical cost of a burger, fries and drink (or similar combo) the most affordable in our round-up in relation to the average net wage.

The fast-food market in South Korea is crowded and competition from the likes of market leader Lotteria and other chains is fierce. McDonald's has to keep prices down, which translates to lower profit margins. For this reason, the company recently offloaded its South Korean business to a licensee, having been searching for a buyer since 2016.

Brazil is the world's second-biggest producer and leading exporter of beef, and the meat is comparatively cheap in the country. Chicken is also very affordable by global standards.

Needless to say, this helps keep McDonald's prices on the low side, with a burger, fries and drink or similar combo averaging only $5.69 (£4.59) in Brazil, which has the lowest menu prices in Latin America.

Modest operational costs contribute to lower McDonald's prices in Thailand, where a McMeal typically sets you back $5.80 (£4.67).

However, Thailand is awash with street food vendors who will rustle up a delicious Pad Thai or green curry for a fraction of the price. This in turn pressures McDonald's to keep its prices competitive in the country.

Peru counts only 29 McDonald's restaurants, much fewer than Brazil's total of 1,130, which partly explains its steeper price for a McMeal, which comes in at $5.86 (£4.72) on average.

Nonetheless, prices are low from an international standpoint due to lower operational costs. According to Perú Retail, pay for a crew member is on par with the national minimum wage, which is just 5.34 sol ($1.43/£1.14) per hour.

The price of a McMeal in neighbouring Colombia is significantly more expensive compared to Peru. In fact, it's the priciest in our round-up relative to the average wage.

When McDonald's first arrived in Colombia in 1995, it was marketed as a premium brand, targeting a higher socioeconomic demographic. This strategic positioning has contributed to elevated prices compared to other countries with similar economic conditions.

On the flip side, a McMeal in Singapore is a lot more affordable from a relative point of view, coming in at over 10 times cheaper when compared to the average salary after tax.

This has more to do with Singapore's high wages than anything else. According to online news magazine Today, which recently unearthed a McDonald's menu from the 1980s, a trip to the fast-food restaurant back then was considered something of a luxury and tended to be reserved for special occasions.

Economical running costs equate to lower prices by global standards in Mexican McDonald's outlets. But a McMeal is expensive when local wages are factored in, while street food in Mexico is considerably cheaper. A typical quesadilla or gordita can cost as little as 20 pesos (98¢/78p).

Again, McDonald's is positioned as a premium fast-food brand in the country, and this positioning allows franchises to charge higher prices than expected.

Dubbed McDonal in the country, McDonald's counts 97 branches in Chile, far fewer than Mexico's total, which stands at 369. This may partly explain the higher price of a McMeal, which typically costs $7.47 (£6.02). Beef is also more expensive in the nation, though chicken is around 18% cheaper, according to Numbeo.

It's worth noting, though, that in relation to the average salary, the affordability of a McDonald's meal is roughly the same in both nations.

A McMeal costs $8.41 (£6.77) in New Zealand, which is pretty cheap for an advanced economy and more affordable than in Australia, where wages are higher.

Still, McDonald's used to be markedly cheaper in the country. Since 1995, the price of a Big Mac in New Zealand has risen faster than inflation and more rapidly than food in general. And the country's elusive beef, egg and beetroot Kiwiburger, which comes and goes from the menu, has also shot up in price.

McDonald's prices in Spain are among the cheapest in Europe. Operational costs are lower than in many other countries on the continent. For instance, the average hourly pay for a crew member is €8.66 ($9/£7.16), according to employment site Jooble, which is below the minimum wage of several Western European countries, including France and the UK.

Incidentally, Ukraine has the lowest McDonald's prices in Europe, with a McMeal averaging just $5.35 (£4.22) in the country.

Maccy D's, as it's fondly referred to in the country, has become more expensive in the UK since the pandemic, but the higher prices have contributed to a drop in sales in the nation, which has the second-highest number of locations in Europe at 1,436.

As is the case in other countries, McDonald's has ramped up promotions in the UK in a bid to win back customers. By way of example, the fast-food giant introduced a limited three items for £3 ($3.76) offer in the spring of 2024. But it didn't do much to revive sales, which slipped further in the second quarter of the year.

A cheeky Macca's meal is typically priced at $9.32 (£7.51) in Australia. As we've mentioned, this is more expensive than the same tucker in neighbouring New Zealand due to higher staffing costs, but compares favourably with much of Europe, where beef is pricier.

At any rate, Australia is one of the most affordable countries for a McMeal relative to the average wage after tax.

In the UAE, a McMeal averages $9.53 (£7.68). McDonald's sales in the country have been hurt by a boycott of the fast-food chain after McDonald's Israel announced in October 2023 that it had handed out thousands of free meals to Israeli soldiers.

McDonald's UAE has gone out of its way to stress that it's fully owned and operated by a separate franchise, and has donated a million UAE dirhams ($272,000/£217,000) to the Gaza relief effort. However, damage has been done to the franchise's bottom line, highlighting the sensitivity of the conflict and its impact on global brands.

Wholesale meat prices, commercial property, staffing costs and more are relatively affordable in Argentina. Yet, McDonald's prices are on the high side, with a burger, fries and drink combo priced at $10 (£8.05) on average. This is due to a variety of factors, including high inflation and currency devaluation.

However, it's important to note that the Numbeo price is based on the official exchange rate, which is significantly lower than the unofficial 'blue' exchange rate. This means that when considering the true economic value, a McMeal in Argentina can actually be much more affordable for locals.

A series of price hikes have pushed up the typical cost of a McMeal to $10.17 (£8.19) in Ireland, much to the dismay of the fast-food chain's devotees in the country.

But although overall prices are up, McDonald's introduced its first-ever €8 ($8.31/£6.64) meal deal in October 2024, while bargain hunters can now choose from an expanded Eurosaver menu following the addition of a new Chilli Double Cheeseburger that same month.

France has more McDonald's outlets than any other European country, with 1,560 restaurants in total. But the fast-food chain has been having a hard time in the nation, where it's nicknamed McDo.

An Israel-Gaza-related boycott has hammered sales. Reported price rises of up to 25% have also deterred customers, while increased competition from Burger King and Quick, which specialises in halal products, have further contributed to an unprecedented drop in revenues.

A McMeal also comes in at an average of $10.27 (£8.27) in Austria, but prices vary dramatically from outlet to outlet.

An investigation conducted last year by newspaper Kleine Zeitung found the price of a McDelivery Homeoffice Menü differs by as much as 55% in the country, ranging from €12.20 ($12.67/£10.13) to €18.90 ($19.62/£15.70).

In neighbouring Germany, a McMeal averages $10.27 (£8.27) too, but it's more affordable in a relative sense since the typical salary in the country is higher. That said, rising prices have impacted sales of late.

In response, McDonald's Germany recently introduced a budget-friendly McSmart-Menü. Its cheapest option costs just €4.99 ($5.18/£4.15) and consists of a choice between a Double Cheeseburger or Double Chickenburger, along with a portion of medium fries and a medium soft drink.

The average price of a McMeal in Belgium is also $10.27 (£8.27), according to Numbeo.

One quirk that irks customers of the fast-food chain in the country is that a lot of branches charge an additional €1 ($1.04/83p) or thereabouts for condiments like ketchup or mayo when ordering a portion of McNuggets or fries, which isn't the case in many other nations. This is all the more galling since many Belgians like to slather their fries with copious amounts of mayo.

McDonald's and Canada go back a long way given the fast-food chain's first overseas franchise opened in British Columbia in 1967. Since then, prices have risen considerably, especially post-pandemic, as inflation has bitten hard.

Last year, a University of Toronto marketing expert told news site Now Toronto that McDonald's customers were seeking more affordable alternatives. In a bid to address this and woo them back, McDonald's Canada has launched a C$1 (70¢/56p) coffee and new cheap limited meal deals, including a much-coveted Taylor Swift-themed bundle.

The home of McDonald's, the US has more outlets than any other country with a staggering 13,457. Post-pandemic price hikes have pushed up the price of a typical McMeal to $11 (£8.87) in America. As you can imagine, social media is awash with angry customers bemoaning the steep costs.

In July 2023, a $17.59 (£14.06) Big Mac Meal served up in a location in Connecticut went viral on X, and TikTokers have been complaining in their droves about $3 (£2.40) hash browns. The fast-food chain has been listening though. A $5 (£4) meal deal that was meant to run for four weeks last summer has been extended until the first half of this year. McDonald's USA is also launching a new McValue Menu, which includes a Buy 1, Add 1 for $1 (80p) deal.

McDonald's prices in the Netherlands are the highest in the eurozone, with a typical McMeal priced at $12.33 (£9.94). Running costs are expensive in the country, though prices differ substantially from city to city.

A 2023 analysis by TV channel RTL Nieuws revealed large disparities in the cost of a Big Mac Meal, which ranged from €9.75 ($10.14/£8.10) in Rotterdam to a hefty €15.05 ($15.65/£12.50) in Enschede and Henglo.

Operational costs are even higher in Denmark, where a McMeal averages $13.35 (£10.76).

Crew members are paid handsomely in the Nordic country. McDonald's has a collective agreement with the nation's 3F trade union, ensuring a basic hourly pay equating to over $22 (£17.56) per hour and a generous six weeks of paid holiday for every employee.

The most expensive country for McDonald's, a McMeal in affluent Switzerland is typically priced at a whopping $16.46 (£13.27). Switzerland has the priciest Big Mac in the world too at over $8 (£6.45).

The cost of running an outlet in the country is sky-high, and crew members earn a minimum of 20 Swiss francs ($22.36/£17.84) per hour based on L-GAV, the collective labour agreement in the Swiss hospitality industry. Nevertheless, McDonald's Switzerland is very reasonable from a relative point of view. Only South Korea is more affordable when the average salary is factored in.

Now discover how much a cup of coffee costs around the world