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Key Facts: Somalia vs Bahrain Wages

Somalia Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Bahrain Minimum Wage
BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 USD)
Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25)

Somalia flag Somalia Bahrain flag Bahrain

Updated 2026-02-25

Somalia flag Somalia

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

Sh150,000 /mo

Bahrain flag Bahrain

Minimum Wage

BD1.73 /hr

$4.60 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

BD850 /mo

Avg. salary: -88% Somalia vs Bahrain

Somalia has no statutory minimum wage, while Bahrain sets a floor of $5/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $263/mo in Somalia versus $2,261/mo in Bahrain, a 8.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 41.8x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Somalia has lower GDP per capita ($1,602 vs $66,941). Somalia's unemployment rate is 18.9% compared to Bahrain's 1.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Somalia and Bahrain
Metric Somalia Bahrain
Minimum wage /hr None BD1.73 $4.60
Minimum wage /mo None BD300 $797.87
Minimum wage /yr None BD3,600 $9,574.47
Avg. gross salary /mo Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 BD850 /mo $2,260.64
Avg. net salary /mo Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 BD840 /mo $2,234.04
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96

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

Work Week

Somalia

48 hrs/wk standard

No reliable standardised workweek provisions are enforced. Friday is the weekly rest day. Labour conditions vary widely between sectors — from formal NGO employment with international standards to highly exploitative informal arrangements. Somaliland and Puntland have some locally administered labour rules.

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%.

See this comparison from Bahrain's perspective: Bahrain vs Somalia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Somalia or Bahrain?

In Somalia, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Bahrain, it is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD).

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

The average gross salary in Somalia is Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD), compared to BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD) in Bahrain. In USD terms, workers in Somalia earn approximately 761% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Somalia 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 Somalia.

How do work hours compare between Somalia and Bahrain?

Both Somalia and Bahrain 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.

What is the cost of living difference between Somalia 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 41.8x that of Somalia at $1,602. From Somalia'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.