Key Facts: Tunisia vs Bahrain Wages
- Tunisia Minimum Wage
- TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD)
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Tunisia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TND1,200 /mo ($383.39 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministère des Affaires Sociales / SMIG/SMAG decrees (2026-02-24), Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25)
Tunisia
Bahrain
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Tunisia is roughly 6 times lower than in Bahrain in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $383/mo in Tunisia versus $2,261/mo in Bahrain, a 5.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 4.6x that of Tunisia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Tunisia's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Tunisia's minimum wage buys less than Bahrain's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Tunisia is $3 international dollars, compared to $10 in Bahrain. Tunisia has lower GDP per capita ($14,521 vs $66,941). Tunisia's unemployment rate is 15.1% compared to Bahrain's 1.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Tunisia | Bahrain |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | TND2.31 $0.74 | BD1.73 $4.60 |
| Minimum wage /day | TND16 $5.11 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | TND480 $153.35 | BD300 $797.87 |
| Minimum wage /yr | TND5,760 $1,840.26 | BD3,600 $9,574.47 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | TND1,200 /mo $383.39 | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | TND1,020 /mo $325.88 | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 |
| Median individual income /yr | TND7,200 /yr $2,300.32 | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Tunisia is higher.
Work Week
- Tunisia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.75x pay
Labour Code allows both 48-hour and 40-hour regimes depending on sector and collective agreements. Most industrial/services workers are on 48 hours. Overtime surcharge: 75% for daytime hours beyond standard. Night and holiday overtime receive higher premiums. The 40-hour regime is increasingly common in services and offices.
- 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%.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Tunisia earns 524% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bahrain.
See this comparison from Bahrain's perspective: Bahrain vs Tunisia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Tunisia or Bahrain?
In Tunisia, the minimum wage is TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD). In Bahrain, it is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). Bahrain has the higher rate by 524% 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 Tunisia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Tunisia compared to Bahrain?
The average gross salary in Tunisia is TND1,200/mo ($383.39 USD), compared to BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD) in Bahrain. In USD terms, workers in Tunisia earn approximately 490% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Tunisia 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 Tunisia.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Tunisia or Bahrain?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Bahrain can afford more than those in Tunisia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3 in Tunisia and $10 in Bahrain. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 297% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Tunisia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Tunisia and Bahrain?
Both Tunisia 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 Tunisia 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 4.6x that of Tunisia at $14,521. From Tunisia'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.