Key Facts: Libya vs Yemen Wages
- Libya Minimum Wage
- LD450/mo ($92.59 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Libya Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- LD1,800 /mo ($370.37 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation (Libya) (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Libya
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
Libya, a upper-middle-income economy, and Yemen, classified as low-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average salaries are higher in Libya at $370/mo compared to $356/mo in Yemen.
Libya's unemployment rate is 18.8% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Libya | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | LD450 $92.59 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | LD1,800 /mo $370.37 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | LD7,200 /yr $1,481.48 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Libya is higher.
Work Week
- Libya
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 12 (2010) sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Friday is the statutory rest day. During Ramadan, hours are reduced. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These regulations are inconsistently enforced given the political situation.
- 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 Libya would see a 5% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Libya
Compare Libya with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Libya or Yemen?
In Libya, the minimum wage is LD450/mo ($92.59 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Libya has the higher rate by 5% 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 more does the average worker earn in Libya compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Libya is LD1,800/mo ($370.37 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Libya earn approximately 4% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Libya and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Libya earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Libya and Yemen?
Both Libya 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.