Key Facts: Malaysia vs Yemen Wages
- Malaysia Minimum Wage
- RM8.72/hr ($2.20 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Malaysia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RM4,000 /mo ($1,008.83 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR); Minimum Wages Order 2024 P.U.(A) 376 eff 2025-02-01; primary source gajiminimum.mohr.gov.my (2026-05-27), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Malaysia 
Yemen
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Malaysia is roughly 40 times lower than in Yemen in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,009/mo in Malaysia versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 2.8:1 ratio. Malaysia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.8% compared to 17.3%.
Malaysia's unemployment rate is 3.8% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Malaysia | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RM8.72 $2.20 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | RM1,700 $428.75 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | RM20,400 $5,145.02 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RM4,000 /mo $1,008.83 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RM3,520 /mo $887.77 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | RM31,200 /yr $7,868.85 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Malaysia is higher.
Work Week
- Malaysia
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 1955 (amended 2022) reduced maximum working hours from 48 to 45 hours/week, effective 1 January 2023. Maximum 8 hours/day or 45 hours/week. Overtime at 1.5x on normal days, 2x on rest days, 3x on public holidays. Maximum overtime: 104 hours/month. Applies to employees earning up to MYR 4,000/mo (threshold raised from MYR 2,000 in 2023 amendments).
- 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 Malaysia earns 3904% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen. Standard work weeks differ: Malaysia mandates 45 hours while Yemen mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Malaysia are $99 vs $4,227 in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Malaysia
Compare Malaysia with...
Malaysia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Malaysia vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Malaysia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Malaysia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Malaysia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Malaysia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Malaysia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Malaysia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Malaysia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Malaysia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Malaysia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Malaysia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Malaysia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Malaysia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Malaysia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Malaysia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Malaysia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Malaysia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Malaysia vs Switzerland 
Malaysia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Malaysia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Malaysia vs Sweden 
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Malaysia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Malaysia or Yemen?
In Malaysia, the minimum wage is RM8.72/hr ($2.20 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 3904% 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 Malaysia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Malaysia compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Malaysia is RM4,000/mo ($1,008.83 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Malaysia earn approximately 183% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Malaysia and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Malaysia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Malaysia and Yemen?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Malaysia. Workers in Malaysia work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Malaysia 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.