Key Facts: Bahrain vs Sierra Leone Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
- Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04)
Bahrain
Sierra Leone
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Bahrain is roughly 6 times lower than in Sierra Leone in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,261/mo in Bahrain versus $108/mo in Sierra Leone, a 20.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 19.0x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $3,522). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Sierra Leone's 3.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | Le600 $25.97 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | Le2,500 /mo $108.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | Le4,200 /yr $181.82 |
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%.
- Sierra Leone
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Bahrain earns 465% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sierra Leone. Standard work weeks differ: Bahrain mandates 48 hours while Sierra Leone mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bahrain are $221 vs $1,039 in Sierra Leone.
See this comparison from Sierra Leone's perspective: Sierra Leone vs Bahrain
Compare Bahrain with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Sierra Leone?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In Sierra Leone, it is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 465% 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 Sierra Leone?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD) in Sierra Leone. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 1989% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Sierra Leone?
Bahrain has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sierra Leone. Workers in Bahrain work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone?
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 19.0x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. 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.