Key Facts: Bahrain vs Libya Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25)
Bahrain
Libya
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Bahrain is roughly 20 times lower than in Libya in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,261/mo in Bahrain versus $370/mo in Libya, a 6.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 4.7x that of Libya, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $14,304). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Libya's 18.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | Libya |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | LD450 $92.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 |
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%.
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Bahrain earns 1912% less per hour in USD terms than one in Libya.
See this comparison from Libya's perspective: Libya vs Bahrain
Compare Bahrain with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Libya?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In Libya, it is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 1912% 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 Bahrain 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 Libya?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD) in Libya. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 510% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Libya 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 Libya.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Libya?
Both Bahrain and Libya mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Bahrain and Libya?
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 Libya at $14,304. 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.