Key Facts: Panama vs Yemen Wages
- Panama Minimum Wage
- B/.1.69/hr ($1.69 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Panama Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B/.1,100 /mo ($1,100 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral (MITRADEL) (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Panama 
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Panama is roughly 52 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: $1,100/mo in Panama versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 3.1:1 ratio. Panama has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 8.4% compared to 17.3%.
Panama's unemployment rate is 8.4% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Panama | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | B/.1.69 $1.69 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | B/.326 $326 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | B/.4,238 $4,238 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | B/.1,100 /mo $1,100 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | B/.990 /mo $990 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | B/.7,800 /yr $7,800 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Panama is higher.
Work Week
- Panama
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets maximum ordinary workday at 8 hours (daytime), 7 hours (mixed shift), and 6 hours (nighttime). Weekly maximum 48 hours for day work. Overtime: 25% surcharge for first 3 hours, 50% thereafter on regular days; 50% on holidays; and 75% on rest days (Sundays). Night work (6pm-6am) earns a 50% surcharge.
- 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 Panama earns 5111% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Panama
Compare Panama with...
Panama vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Panama vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Panama vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Panama vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Panama vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Panama vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Panama vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Panama vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Panama vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Panama vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Panama vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Panama vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Panama vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Panama vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Panama vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Panama vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Panama vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Panama vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Panama vs Switzerland 
Panama vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Panama vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Panama vs Sweden 
Panama vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Panama vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Panama or Yemen?
In Panama, the minimum wage is B/.1.69/hr ($1.69 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 5111% 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 Panama may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Panama compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Panama is B/.1,100/mo ($1,100 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Panama earn approximately 209% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Panama and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Panama earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Panama and Yemen?
Both Panama 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.