Key Facts: Bahrain vs Mauritania Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Mauritania Minimum Wage
- UM30,000/mo ($750 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Mauritania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UM65,000 /mo ($1,625 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Mauritanie (2026-02-25)
Bahrain
Mauritania
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Bahrain is roughly 163 times lower than in Mauritania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Bahrain at $2,261/mo compared to $1,625/mo in Mauritania. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 9.1x that of Mauritania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $7,369). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Mauritania's 10.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | Mauritania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | UM1,200 $30 |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | UM30,000 $750 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | UM65,000 /mo $1,625 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | N/A/yr |
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%.
- Mauritania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week, with Friday as the rest day. Arabic is the official language; French widely used in business. Some sectors may observe Thursday–Friday weekends.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Bahrain earns 16201% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mauritania. Standard work weeks differ: Bahrain mandates 48 hours while Mauritania mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bahrain are $221 vs $30,000 in Mauritania.
See this comparison from Mauritania's perspective: Mauritania vs Bahrain
Compare Bahrain with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Mauritania?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In Mauritania, it is UM30,000/mo ($750 USD). Mauritania has the higher rate by 16201% 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 Mauritania?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to UM65,000/mo ($1,625 USD) in Mauritania. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 39% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Mauritania 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 Mauritania.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Mauritania?
Bahrain has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Mauritania. Workers in Bahrain work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Mauritania 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 Mauritania?
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 9.1x that of Mauritania at $7,369. 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.