Key Facts: Brunei vs Yemen Wages
- Brunei Minimum Wage
- B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Brunei Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B$2,500 /mo ($1,968.50 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Labour Department, Ministry of Home Affairs — Brunei Darussalam (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Brunei
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Brunei is roughly 43 times lower than in Yemen in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,969/mo in Brunei versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 5.5:1 ratio. Brunei has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.3% compared to 17.3%.
Brunei's unemployment rate is 5.3% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Brunei | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | B$2.62 $2.06 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | B$500 $393.70 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | B$6,000 $4,724.41 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | B$2,500 /mo $1,968.50 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | B$2,500 /mo $1,968.50 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | B$18,000 /yr $14,173.23 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Brunei is higher.
Work Week
- Brunei
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard working hours are 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week under the Employment Order, 2009. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. During Ramadan, Muslim workers typically work 6 hours/day. The government sector generally works 37.5-40 hours/week.
- Yemen
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets 48 hours/week. Thursday–Friday is the traditional weekend. Normal labour law enforcement has effectively ceased. Informal employment — petty trade, agriculture, and subsistence activities — dominates the economy.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Brunei earns 4169% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen. Standard work weeks differ: Brunei mandates 44 hours while Yemen mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Brunei are $91 vs $4,227 in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Brunei
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Brunei or Yemen?
In Brunei, the minimum wage is B$2.62/hr ($2.06 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 4169% 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 Brunei may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Brunei compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Brunei is B$2,500/mo ($1,968.50 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Brunei earn approximately 452% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Brunei and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brunei earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Brunei and Yemen?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Brunei. Workers in Brunei work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Brunei 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.