Key Facts: Bahrain vs Tunisia Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Tunisia Minimum Wage
- TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Tunisia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TND1,200 /mo ($383.39 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), Ministère des Affaires Sociales / SMIG/SMAG decrees (2026-02-24)
Bahrain
Tunisia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Bahrain is roughly 6 times higher than in Tunisia 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 $383/mo in Tunisia, a 5.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 4.6x that of Tunisia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Bahrain's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Bahrain's minimum wage buys more than Tunisia's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Bahrain is $10 international dollars, compared to $3 in Tunisia. Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $14,521). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Tunisia's 15.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | Tunisia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | TND2.31 $0.74 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | TND16 $5.11 |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | TND480 $153.35 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | TND5,760 $1,840.26 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | TND1,200 /mo $383.39 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | TND1,020 /mo $325.88 |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | TND7,200 /yr $2,300.32 |
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%.
- Tunisia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.75x pay
Labour Code allows both 48-hour and 40-hour regimes depending on sector and collective agreements. Most industrial/services workers are on 48 hours. Overtime surcharge: 75% for daytime hours beyond standard. Night and holiday overtime receive higher premiums. The 40-hour regime is increasingly common in services and offices.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Tunisia to Bahrain would see a 524% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Tunisia's perspective: Tunisia vs Bahrain
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Tunisia?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In Tunisia, it is TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD). Bahrain has the higher rate by 524% 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 Tunisia 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 Tunisia?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to TND1,200/mo ($383.39 USD) in Tunisia. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 490% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Tunisia 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 Tunisia.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Bahrain or Tunisia?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Bahrain can afford more than those in Tunisia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $10 in Bahrain and $3 in Tunisia. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 297% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Tunisia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Tunisia?
Both Bahrain and Tunisia 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 Tunisia?
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 4.6x that of Tunisia at $14,521. 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.