Key Facts: Bahrain vs Italy Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Italy Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Italy Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,600 /mo ($3,027.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Policies (Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali) (2026-02-24)
Bahrain
Italy
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Italy, which has no statutory minimum wage, Bahrain mandates a wage floor of $5/hr. Average salaries are lower in Bahrain at $2,261/mo compared to $3,028/mo in Italy. Bahrain has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.1% compared to 6.4%.
Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $62,014). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Italy's 6.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | €2,600 /mo $3,027.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | €22,500 /yr $26,202.40 |
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%.
- Italy
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Legislative Decree 66/2003). Maximum average weekly hours including overtime is 48 hours over a 4-month reference period, per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime compensation is regulated by collective agreements, typically 15-30% surcharge depending on hours and sector.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Bahrain mandates 48 hours while Italy mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Italy's perspective: Italy vs Bahrain
Compare Bahrain with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Italy?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In Italy, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Bahrain compared to Italy?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to €2,600/mo ($3,027.83 USD) in Italy. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 34% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Italy is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Italy earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Bahrain.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Italy?
Bahrain has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Italy. Workers in Bahrain work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Italy 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 Italy?
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 1.1x that of Italy at $62,014. 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.