Key Facts: Netherlands vs Yemen Wages
- Netherlands Minimum Wage
- €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Netherlands Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Rijksoverheid (Government of the Netherlands); 2026 monthly basis verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (40-hour workweek convention) (2026-05-27), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Netherlands 
Yemen
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in the Netherlands is roughly 5 times lower than in Yemen in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,542/mo in the Netherlands versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 12.7:1 ratio. Netherlands has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.9% compared to 17.3%.
The Netherlands' unemployment rate is 3.9% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Netherlands | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €14.71 $17.13 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | €2,549.73 $2,969.29 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €30,596.76 $35,631.49 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €2,750 /mo $3,202.52 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | €36,500 /yr $42,506.11 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Netherlands is higher.
Work Week
- Netherlands
-
36 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek varies by sector: commonly 36, 38, or 40 hours. The Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) limits working time to 12 hours per shift and 60 hours per week, averaged to a maximum of 48 hours over 16 weeks. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements or individual contracts.
- 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 the Netherlands earns 414% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen. Standard work weeks differ: the Netherlands mandates 36 hours while Yemen mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Netherlands are $617 vs $4,227 in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Netherlands
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Netherlands vs Norway Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Netherlands or Yemen?
In the Netherlands, the minimum wage is €14.71/hr ($17.13 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 414% 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 the Netherlands may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Netherlands compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in the Netherlands is €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in the Netherlands earn approximately 1174% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Netherlands and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Netherlands earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Netherlands and Yemen?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 36 hours in the Netherlands. Workers in the Netherlands work 36 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Netherlands 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.