Key Facts: Ethiopia vs Yemen Wages
- Ethiopia Minimum Wage
- ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Ethiopia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ETB6,500 /mo ($50.78 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Ethiopia 
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Ethiopia is roughly 1503 times lower than in Yemen in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $51/mo in Ethiopia versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 7.0:1 ratio. Ethiopia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.3% compared to 17.3%.
Ethiopia's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Ethiopia | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ETB7.50 $0.06 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | ETB43.33 $0.34 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ETB1,300 $10.16 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ETB15,600 $121.88 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ETB6,500 /mo $50.78 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ETB5,600 /mo $43.75 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Ethiopia is higher.
Work Week
- Ethiopia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 125% for first 2 hours, 150% for additional hours, 200% for weekends, 250% for public holidays. Night work (10pm-6am) carries a 50% premium. These regulations apply to formal employment relationships only.
- Yemen
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets 48 hours/week. Thursday–Friday is the traditional weekend. Normal labour law enforcement has effectively ceased. Informal employment — petty trade, agriculture, and subsistence activities — dominates the economy.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Ethiopia earns 150198% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Ethiopia
Compare Ethiopia with...
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Ethiopia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Ethiopia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Ethiopia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Ethiopia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Ethiopia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Ethiopia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Ethiopia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Ethiopia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
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Ethiopia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Ethiopia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
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Ethiopia vs Switzerland 
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Ethiopia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Ethiopia or Yemen?
In Ethiopia, the minimum wage is ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 150198% 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 Ethiopia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Ethiopia compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Ethiopia is ETB6,500/mo ($50.78 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Ethiopia earn approximately 602% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Ethiopia and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Yemen earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Ethiopia.
How do work hours compare between Ethiopia and Yemen?
Both Ethiopia and Yemen 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.