Key Facts: Lesotho vs Yemen Wages
- Lesotho Minimum Wage
- L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Lesotho Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L4,500 /mo ($281.07 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Employment (Lesotho) / Wages Order (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Lesotho
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
Lesotho, a lower-middle-income economy, and Yemen, classified as low-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average salaries are lower in Lesotho at $281/mo compared to $356/mo in Yemen.
Lesotho's unemployment rate is 16.3% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Lesotho | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,000 $124.92 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L4,500 /mo $281.07 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | L18,000 /yr $1,124.30 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Lesotho is higher.
Work Week
- Lesotho
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.33x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 45 hours/week (9 hrs/day, 5 days or 7.5 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours/week including overtime (9 hours overtime limit). Overtime paid at 1.33x normal rate. Sunday rest day and 12 public holidays per year.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Yemen to Lesotho would see a 42% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Lesotho mandates 45 hours while Yemen mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Lesotho are $5,621 vs $4,227 in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Lesotho
Compare Lesotho with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Lesotho or Yemen?
In Lesotho, the minimum wage is L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Lesotho has the higher rate by 42% 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 Yemen may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Lesotho compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Lesotho is L4,500/mo ($281.07 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Lesotho earn approximately 27% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Lesotho 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 Lesotho.
How do work hours compare between Lesotho and Yemen?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Lesotho. Workers in Lesotho work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Lesotho 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.