Key Facts: Bahrain vs Morocco Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), Ministère de l'Inclusion Économique, de la Petite Entreprise, de l'Emploi et des Compétences (miepeec.gov.ma); 2026 SMIG/SMAG figures verified (second stage of two-stage 10% increase agreed in April 2024 social dialogue) (2026-05-04)
Bahrain
Morocco
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bahrain is 151% higher than in Morocco when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,261/mo in Bahrain versus $613/mo in Morocco, a 3.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 6.4x that of Morocco, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Bahrain's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Bahrain's minimum wage buys more than Morocco's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Bahrain is $10 international dollars, compared to $5 in Morocco. Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $10,415). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Morocco's 9.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | MAD17.92 $1.83 |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 |
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%.
- Morocco
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 44 hours/week for non-agricultural sectors (2,288 hrs/year) and 48 hours/week for agriculture (2,496 hrs/year). Overtime: 25% premium for daytime hours, 50% for nighttime. On rest days/holidays: 50% daytime, 100% nighttime.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Morocco to Bahrain would see a 151% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Bahrain mandates 48 hours while Morocco mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bahrain are $221 vs $81 in Morocco.
See this comparison from Morocco's perspective: Morocco vs Bahrain
Compare Bahrain with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Morocco?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In Morocco, it is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). Bahrain has the higher rate by 151% 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 Morocco 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 Morocco?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD) in Morocco. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 268% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Morocco 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 Morocco.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Bahrain or Morocco?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Bahrain can afford more than those in Morocco. The PPP-adjusted rate is $10 in Bahrain and $5 in Morocco. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 125% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Morocco appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Morocco?
Bahrain has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Morocco. Workers in Bahrain work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Morocco 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 Morocco?
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 6.4x that of Morocco at $10,415. 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.