Key Facts: Bahrain vs Ghana Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Ghana Minimum Wage
- GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Ghana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- GH₵3,500 /mo ($235.69 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) / Ministry of Finance (MOFEP) / National Tripartite Committee; 2025-2026 daily rates per official gazettements (2026-05-27)
Bahrain
Ghana
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Bahrain is roughly 25 times higher than in Ghana in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,261/mo in Bahrain versus $236/mo in Ghana, a 9.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 8.3x that of Ghana, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Bahrain's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Bahrain's minimum wage buys more than Ghana's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Bahrain is $10 international dollars, compared to $1 in Ghana. Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $8,020). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Ghana's 3.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | Ghana |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | GH₵2.72 $0.18 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | GH₵21.77 $1.47 |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | GH₵565.02 $38.05 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | GH₵6,780.24 $456.58 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | GH₵3,500 /mo $235.69 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | GH₵3,000 /mo $202.02 |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | GH₵12,000 /yr $808.08 |
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%.
- Ghana
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime must be paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on rest days or public holidays at 2x.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ghana to Bahrain would see a 2412% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bahrain mandates 48 hours while Ghana mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bahrain are $221 vs $7 in Ghana.
See this comparison from Ghana's perspective: Ghana vs Bahrain
Compare Bahrain with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Ghana?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In Ghana, it is GH₵2.72/hr ($0.18 USD). Bahrain has the higher rate by 2412% 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 Ghana 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 Ghana?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to GH₵3,500/mo ($235.69 USD) in Ghana. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 859% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Ghana 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 Ghana.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Bahrain or Ghana?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Bahrain can afford more than those in Ghana. The PPP-adjusted rate is $10 in Bahrain and $1 in Ghana. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 1483% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Ghana appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Ghana?
Bahrain has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Ghana. Workers in Bahrain work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ghana 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 Ghana?
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 8.3x that of Ghana at $8,020. 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.