Key Facts: Nicaragua vs Yemen Wages
- Nicaragua Minimum Wage
- C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Nicaragua Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- C$15,000 /mo ($407.61 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio del Trabajo (Ministry of Labour) / National Minimum Wage Commission — Nicaragua (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Nicaragua 
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Nicaragua is roughly 58 times lower than in Yemen in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Nicaragua at $408/mo compared to $356/mo in Yemen. Nicaragua has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.0% compared to 17.3%.
Nicaragua's unemployment rate is 5.0% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nicaragua | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | C$55.48 $1.51 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | C$13,315.61 $361.84 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | C$15,000 /mo $407.61 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | C$12,000 /mo $326.09 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | C$72,000 /yr $1,956.52 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Nicaragua is higher.
Work Week
- Nicaragua
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Night work is limited to 45 hours/week (7.5 hours/day). Mixed shifts limited to 7 hours/day. Overtime is paid at 2x the regular rate. Workers are entitled to one mandatory rest day per week. Governed by the Código del Trabajo (Labour Code).
- 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 Nicaragua earns 5741% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Nicaragua
Compare Nicaragua with...
Nicaragua vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Nicaragua vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Nicaragua vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Nicaragua vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Nicaragua vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Nicaragua vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Nicaragua vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Nicaragua vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Switzerland 
Nicaragua vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Nicaragua vs Sweden 
Nicaragua vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Nicaragua vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Nicaragua or Yemen?
In Nicaragua, the minimum wage is C$55.48/hr ($1.51 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 5741% 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 Nicaragua may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Nicaragua compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Nicaragua is C$15,000/mo ($407.61 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Nicaragua earn approximately 14% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Nicaragua and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Nicaragua earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Nicaragua and Yemen?
Both Nicaragua 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.