Key Facts: Moldova vs Yemen Wages
- Moldova Minimum Wage
- L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Moldova Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L15,500 /mo ($905.90 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of the Republic of Moldova / Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Moldova
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Moldova is roughly 46 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: $906/mo in Moldova versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 2.5:1 ratio. Moldova has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.5% compared to 17.3%.
Moldova's unemployment rate is 1.5% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Moldova | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L32.54 $1.90 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | L5,500 $321.45 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L66,000 $3,857.39 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L15,500 /mo $905.90 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L12,400 /mo $724.72 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | L84,000 /yr $4,909.41 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Moldova is higher.
Work Week
- Moldova
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Reduced hours (35 hrs/week) for hazardous conditions. Overtime limited to 120 hours per year (240 with employee consent). Overtime premium at least 50% for first 2 hours and 100% thereafter. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%.
- 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 Moldova earns 4531% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen. Standard work weeks differ: Moldova mandates 40 hours while Yemen mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Moldova are $76 vs $4,227 in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Moldova
Compare Moldova with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Moldova or Yemen?
In Moldova, the minimum wage is L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 4531% 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 Moldova may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Moldova compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Moldova is L15,500/mo ($905.90 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Moldova earn approximately 154% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Moldova and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Moldova earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Moldova and Yemen?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Moldova. Workers in Moldova work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Moldova 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.