Key Facts: Saudi Arabia vs Yemen Wages
- Saudi Arabia Minimum Wage
- ﷼23.08/hr ($6.15 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Saudi Arabia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼10,500 /mo ($2,800 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development; minimum wage for Saudi nationals at SAR 4,000/mo unchanged since March 2021 Nitaqat reforms (2026-05-04), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Saudi Arabia 
Yemen
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Saudi Arabia is roughly 14 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: $2,800/mo in Saudi Arabia versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 7.9:1 ratio. Saudi Arabia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.0% compared to 17.3%.
Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Saudi Arabia | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ﷼23.08 $6.15 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼4,000 $1,066.67 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ﷼48,000 $12,800 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼10,500 /mo $2,800 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼10,500 /mo $2,800 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Saudi Arabia is higher.
Work Week
- Saudi Arabia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Saudi Labour Law sets 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week (6-day week). During Ramadan, reduced to 6 hrs/day, 36 hrs/week for Muslim employees. Overtime capped at 2 hrs/day. Overtime paid at base hourly rate + 50%. Friday is the standard weekly rest day. Government sector works 35 hrs/week (Sun-Thu).
- 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 Saudi Arabia earns 1331% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Saudi Arabia
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Is the minimum wage higher in Saudi Arabia or Yemen?
In Saudi Arabia, the minimum wage is ﷼23.08/hr ($6.15 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 1331% 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 Saudi Arabia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Saudi Arabia compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Saudi Arabia is ﷼10,500/mo ($2,800 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Saudi Arabia earn approximately 686% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Saudi Arabia and Yemen is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Saudi Arabia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Saudi Arabia and Yemen?
Both Saudi Arabia 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.