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Key Facts: Sierra Leone vs Bahrain Wages

Sierra Leone Minimum Wage
Le600/mo ($25.97 USD)
Bahrain Minimum Wage
BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
Sierra Leone Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Le2,500 /mo ($108.23 USD)
Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
Data Sources
ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Sierra Leone). Note: snapshot diff flags 'currency mismatch' against Wikipedia (which still uses old SLL 500,000) — our SLE 600 reflects the post-2022 redenomination (1 SLE = 1,000 SLL) and is the correct current notation (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25)

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone Bahrain flag Bahrain

Updated 2026-05-04

Sierra Leone flag Sierra Leone

Minimum Wage

Le600 /mo

$25.97 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Le2,500 /mo

Bahrain flag Bahrain

Minimum Wage

BD1.73 /hr

$4.60 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

BD850 /mo

Min wage: +465% Sierra Leone vs Bahrain Avg. salary: -95% Sierra Leone vs Bahrain

The minimum wage in Sierra Leone is roughly 6 times higher than in Bahrain in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $108/mo in Sierra Leone versus $2,261/mo in Bahrain, a 20.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 19.0x that of Sierra Leone, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Sierra Leone has lower GDP per capita ($3,522 vs $66,941). Sierra Leone's unemployment rate is 3.1% compared to Bahrain's 1.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Sierra Leone and Bahrain
Metric Sierra Leone Bahrain
Minimum wage /hr BD1.73 $4.60
Minimum wage /mo Le600 $25.97 BD300 $797.87
Minimum wage /yr BD3,600 $9,574.47
Avg. gross salary /mo Le2,500 /mo $108.23 BD850 /mo $2,260.64
Avg. net salary /mo N/A/mo BD840 /mo $2,234.04
Median individual income /yr Le4,200 /yr $181.82 BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Sierra Leone is higher.

Work Week

Sierra Leone

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

The Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act sets standard hours at 40 per week for office workers and 48 for industrial workers. Overtime compensated at 1.5x for the first additional 8 hours. These rules apply to the limited formal sector.

Bahrain

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, Muslim workers' hours are reduced to 6 hours/day (36 hours/week). Overtime paid at 125% of normal rate; Friday work at 150%.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Bahrain to Sierra Leone would see a 465% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Sierra Leone mandates 40 hours while Bahrain mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Sierra Leone are $1,039 vs $221 in Bahrain.

See this comparison from Bahrain's perspective: Bahrain vs Sierra Leone

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Sierra Leone or Bahrain?

In Sierra Leone, the minimum wage is Le600/mo ($25.97 USD). In Bahrain, it is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). Sierra Leone has the higher rate by 465% 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 Bahrain may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Sierra Leone compared to Bahrain?

The average gross salary in Sierra Leone is Le2,500/mo ($108.23 USD), compared to BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD) in Bahrain. In USD terms, workers in Sierra Leone earn approximately 1989% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sierra Leone and Bahrain is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bahrain earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sierra Leone.

How do work hours compare between Sierra Leone and Bahrain?

Bahrain has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sierra Leone. Workers in Sierra Leone work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sierra Leone 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.

What is the cost of living difference between Sierra Leone and Bahrain?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bahrain has the higher GDP per capita at $66,941, which is 19.0x that of Sierra Leone at $3,522. From Sierra Leone's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.