Key Facts: Bahrain vs Belize Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-02-25)
Bahrain
Belize
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Bahrain is 84% higher than in Belize when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,261/mo in Bahrain versus $900/mo in Belize, a 2.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 4.7x that of Belize, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Bahrain's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Bahrain's minimum wage buys more than Belize's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Bahrain is $10 international dollars, compared to $5 in Belize. Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $14,347). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Belize's 8.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | Belize |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | BZ$5 $2.50 |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | BZ$975 $487.50 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | BZ$11,700 $5,850 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bahrain is higher.
Work Week
- Bahrain
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, Muslim workers' hours are reduced to 6 hours/day (36 hours/week). Overtime paid at 125% of normal rate; Friday work at 150%.
- Belize
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Belize to Bahrain would see a 84% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bahrain mandates 48 hours while Belize mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bahrain are $221 vs $113 in Belize.
See this comparison from Belize's perspective: Belize vs Bahrain
Compare Bahrain with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Belize?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In Belize, it is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). Bahrain has the higher rate by 84% 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 Belize may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bahrain compared to Belize?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD) in Belize. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 151% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Belize is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bahrain earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Belize.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Bahrain or Belize?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Bahrain can afford more than those in Belize. The PPP-adjusted rate is $10 in Bahrain and $5 in Belize. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 118% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Belize appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Belize?
Bahrain has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Belize. Workers in Bahrain work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Belize 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 Bahrain and Belize?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bahrain has the higher GDP per capita at $66,941, which is 4.7x that of Belize at $14,347. From Bahrain'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.