Key Facts: Colombia vs Yemen Wages
- Colombia Minimum Wage
- COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Colombia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- COP2,200,000 /mo ($532.69 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio del Trabajo y Seguridad Social; 2026 SMLMV per Decretos 1469 y 1470 de 2025 + Decreto 0159 de 2026 (auxilio de transporte) (2026-05-27), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Colombia 
Yemen
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Colombia is roughly 50 times lower than in Yemen in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Colombia at $533/mo compared to $356/mo in Yemen. Colombia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 8.3% compared to 17.3%.
Colombia's unemployment rate is 8.3% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Colombia | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | COP7,295.44 $1.77 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | COP1,750,905 $423.95 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | COP22,761,765 $5,511.32 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | COP2,200,000 /mo $532.69 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | COP1,936,000 /mo $468.77 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | COP16,800,000 /yr $4,067.80 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Colombia is higher.
Work Week
- Colombia
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Colombia is reducing the workweek from 48 to 42 hours under Ley 2101 de 2021 in annual steps. As of 2026-01-01, the maximum is 44 hours/week. The final step (44h → 42h) takes effect July 2026. Daytime overtime: 25% premium. Night overtime: 75% premium. Sunday/holiday work: 75% premium (175% if also overtime).
- 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 Colombia earns 4885% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen. Standard work weeks differ: Colombia mandates 44 hours while Yemen mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Colombia are $78 vs $4,227 in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Colombia
Compare Colombia with...
Colombia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Colombia vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Colombia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Colombia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Colombia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Colombia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Colombia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Colombia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Colombia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Colombia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Colombia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Colombia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Colombia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Colombia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Colombia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Colombia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Colombia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Colombia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Colombia vs Switzerland 
Colombia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Colombia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Colombia vs Sweden 
Colombia vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Colombia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Colombia or Yemen?
In Colombia, the minimum wage is COP7,295.44/hr ($1.77 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 4885% 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 Colombia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Colombia compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Colombia is COP2,200,000/mo ($532.69 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Colombia earn approximately 49% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Colombia and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Colombia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Colombia and Yemen?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Colombia. Workers in Colombia work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Colombia 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.