Key Facts: Norway vs Yemen Wages
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Norway
Yemen
Updated 2026-05-28
Norway has no statutory minimum wage, while Yemen sets a floor of $88/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $5,953/mo in Norway versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 16.7:1 ratio. Norway has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.6% compared to 17.3%.
Norway's unemployment rate is 4.6% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Norway | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | None | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Norway is higher.
Work Week
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
- 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
Standard work weeks differ: Norway mandates 37.5 hours while Yemen mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Norway
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Norway or Yemen?
In Norway, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Norway compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Norway is kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Norway earn approximately 1570% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Norway and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Norway and Yemen?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Norway work 37.5 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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.