Key Facts: Turkey vs Bahrain Wages
- Turkey Minimum Wage
- ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD)
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Turkey Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₺25,482 /mo ($555.24 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı); 2026 figure announced by Minister Vedat Işıkhan, verified via Daily Sabah (dailysabah.com) (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25)
Turkey
Bahrain
Updated 2026-05-04
Turkey, a upper-middle-income economy, and Bahrain, classified as high-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $555/mo in Turkey versus $2,261/mo in Bahrain, a 4.1:1 ratio. Bahrain has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.1% compared to 8.5%.
From Turkey's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Turkey's minimum wage buys more than Bahrain's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Turkey is $14 international dollars, compared to $10 in Bahrain. Turkey has lower GDP per capita ($45,639 vs $66,941). Turkey's unemployment rate is 8.5% compared to Bahrain's 1.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkey | Bahrain |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₺164.94 $3.59 | BD1.73 $4.60 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₺33,030 $719.70 | BD300 $797.87 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₺396,360 $8,636.42 | BD3,600 $9,574.47 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₺25,482 /mo $555.24 | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₺20,021 /mo $436.24 | 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 Turkey is higher.
Work Week
- Turkey
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours under the Labour Act (No. 4857). Can be distributed unevenly across days of the week, but no more than 11 hours/day. Overtime is limited to 270 hours/year. Overtime premium is 50%; weekend/holiday work is at 100% premium if the worker does not get a substitute rest day.
- 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 Turkey earns 28% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bahrain. However, after adjusting for cost of living, Turkey's minimum wage provides more purchasing power. Standard work weeks differ: Turkey mandates 45 hours while Bahrain mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Turkey are $162 vs $221 in Bahrain.
See this comparison from Bahrain's perspective: Bahrain vs Turkey
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkey or Bahrain?
In Turkey, the minimum wage is ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD). In Bahrain, it is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). Bahrain has the higher rate by 28% 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 Turkey may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Turkey compared to Bahrain?
The average gross salary in Turkey is ₺25,482/mo ($555.24 USD), compared to BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD) in Bahrain. In USD terms, workers in Turkey earn approximately 307% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkey 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 Turkey.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Turkey or Bahrain?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Turkey can afford more than those in Bahrain. The PPP-adjusted rate is $14 in Turkey and $10 in Bahrain. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 42% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Bahrain appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Turkey and Bahrain?
Bahrain has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Turkey. Workers in Turkey work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Turkey 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 Turkey 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 1.5x that of Turkey at $45,639. From Turkey'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.