Key Facts: Malawi vs Yemen Wages
- Malawi Minimum Wage
- MK240.40/hr ($0.14 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Malawi Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MK120,000 /mo ($69.16 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Malawi Ministry of Labour / Minimum Wages Board / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Malawi 
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Malawi is roughly 636 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: $69/mo in Malawi versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 5.2:1 ratio. Malawi has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.1% compared to 17.3%.
Malawi's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Malawi | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MK240.40 $0.14 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | MK1,923 $1.11 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | MK50,000 $28.82 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MK600,000 $345.82 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MK120,000 /mo $69.16 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | MK360,000 /yr $207.49 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Malawi is higher.
Work Week
- Malawi
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act (Cap 55:02) sets maximum ordinary working hours at 48 per week (8 hrs/day, 6 days) or 45 hours over 5 days. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Night work (6pm–6am) attracts a premium. Public holidays are compensated at double time if worked. Workers are entitled to 15 days of paid annual leave after 12 months.
- 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 Malawi earns 63458% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Malawi
Compare Malawi with...
Malawi vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Malawi vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Malawi vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Malawi vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Malawi vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Malawi vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Malawi vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Malawi vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Malawi vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Malawi vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Malawi vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Malawi vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Malawi vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Malawi vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Malawi vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Malawi vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Malawi vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Malawi vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Malawi vs Switzerland 
Malawi vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Malawi vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Malawi vs Sweden 
Malawi vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Malawi vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Malawi or Yemen?
In Malawi, the minimum wage is MK240.40/hr ($0.14 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 63458% 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 Malawi may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Malawi compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Malawi is MK120,000/mo ($69.16 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Malawi earn approximately 415% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Malawi 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 Malawi.
How do work hours compare between Malawi and Yemen?
Both Malawi 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.