Laos Yemen

Updated 2026-02-25

Laos

Minimum Wage

₭10,417 /hr

$0.48 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₭4,000,000 /mo

Yemen

Minimum Wage

﷼21,000 /mo

$88.07 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

﷼85,000 /mo

Min wage: -99% Laos vs Yemen Avg. salary: -48% Laos vs Yemen

The minimum wage in Laos is roughly 182 times lower than in Yemen in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Laos at $186/mo compared to $356/mo in Yemen. Laos has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.2% compared to 17.3%.

Laos' unemployment rate is 1.2% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Laos and Yemen
Metric	Laos	Yemen	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	₭10,417 $0.48	—	—
Minimum wage /mo	₭2,500,000 $116.12	﷼21,000 $88.07	+31.9%
Avg. gross salary /mo	₭4,000,000 /mo $185.79	﷼85,000 /mo $356.45	-47.9%
Avg. net salary /mo	₭3,600,000 /mo $167.21	﷼75,000 /mo $314.52	-46.8%
Median individual income /yr	₭18,000,000 /yr $836.04	N/A/yr	—

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Laos is higher.

Work Week

Laos: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Workers in dangerous conditions are limited to 6 hours/day or 36 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 45 hours/month or 3 hours/day. Overtime compensation: 1.5x regular rate on normal days, 2.5x on weekly rest days during daytime, 3x on rest days at night. Governed by the Labour Law.
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 Laos earns 18101% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen.

See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Laos

Compare Laos with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Laos or Yemen?

In Laos, the minimum wage is ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 18101% 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 Laos may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Laos compared to Yemen?

The average gross salary in Laos is ₭4,000,000/mo ($185.79 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Laos earn approximately 92% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Laos 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 Laos.

How do work hours compare between Laos and Yemen?

Both Laos 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.