Key Facts: Kuwait vs Yemen Wages
- Kuwait Minimum Wage
- KWD0.39/hr ($1.27 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Kuwait Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KWD1,200 /mo ($3,908.79 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Public Authority for Manpower — State of Kuwait (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Kuwait 
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Kuwait is roughly 69 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: $3,909/mo in Kuwait versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 11.0:1 ratio. Kuwait has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.2% compared to 17.3%.
Kuwait's unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kuwait | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | KWD0.39 $1.27 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | KWD75 $244.30 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | KWD900 $2,931.60 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | KWD1,200 /mo $3,908.79 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | KWD1,200 /mo $3,908.79 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | KWD9,600 /yr $31,270.36 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Kuwait is higher.
Work Week
- Kuwait
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium is 25% of regular pay, with work on rest days or public holidays at double pay. Government sector hours are typically 35 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 Kuwait earns 6832% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Kuwait
Compare Kuwait with...
Kuwait vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Kuwait vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Kuwait vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Kuwait vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Kuwait vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Kuwait vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Kuwait vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Kuwait vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Kuwait vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Kuwait vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Kuwait vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Kuwait vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Kuwait vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Kuwait vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Kuwait vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Kuwait vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Kuwait vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Kuwait vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Kuwait vs Switzerland 
Kuwait vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Kuwait vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Kuwait vs Sweden 
Kuwait vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Kuwait vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kuwait or Yemen?
In Kuwait, the minimum wage is KWD0.39/hr ($1.27 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 6832% 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 Kuwait may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Kuwait compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Kuwait is KWD1,200/mo ($3,908.79 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Kuwait earn approximately 997% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kuwait and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kuwait earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Kuwait and Yemen?
Both Kuwait 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.