Key Facts: Bahrain vs Philippines Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Philippines Minimum Wage
- ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Philippines Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₱20,000 /mo ($323.88 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) / National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC); 2025 figures verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 18 July 2025) (2026-05-04)
Bahrain
Philippines
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bahrain is roughly 64 times lower than in the Philippines 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 $324/mo in the Philippines, a 7.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 5.7x that of Philippines, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $11,794). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to the Philippines' 2.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₱695 $11.25 |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | ₱18,070 $292.62 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | ₱234,910 $3,804.09 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | ₱20,000 /mo $323.88 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | ₱17,600 /mo $285.01 |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | ₱156,000 /yr $2,526.23 |
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%.
- Philippines
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labor Code sets normal working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Overtime: 25% premium on regular days, 30% on rest days/holidays. Night shift differential (10pm-6am): 10% additional. Special non-working holidays: 30% premium. Regular holidays: 100% premium.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Bahrain earns 6260% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Philippines.
See this comparison from Philippines's perspective: Philippines vs Bahrain
Compare Bahrain with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Philippines?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In the Philippines, it is ₱18,070/mo ($292.62 USD). Philippines has the higher rate by 6260% 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 Philippines?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to ₱20,000/mo ($323.88 USD) in the Philippines. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 598% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Philippines 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 the Philippines.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Philippines?
Both Bahrain and Philippines 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 Philippines?
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 5.7x that of Philippines at $11,794. 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.