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Key Facts: United Arab Emirates vs Liberia Wages

United Arab Emirates Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Liberia Minimum Wage
$156/mo
United Arab Emirates Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
AED16,000 /mo ($4,356.71 USD)
Liberia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
$350 /mo ($350 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE); UAE has no universal statutory minimum wage — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 empowers Cabinet to set one but none has been enacted (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministry of Labour (Liberia) (2026-02-25)

United Arab Emirates flag United Arab Emirates Liberia flag Liberia

Updated 2026-05-04

United Arab Emirates flag United Arab Emirates

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

AED16,000 /mo

Liberia flag Liberia

Minimum Wage

$156 /mo

Avg. Gross Salary

$350 /mo

Avg. salary: +1145% United Arab Emirates vs Liberia

The United Arab Emirates has no statutory minimum wage, while Liberia sets a floor of $156/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,357/mo in the United Arab Emirates versus $350/mo in Liberia, a 12.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in United Arab Emirates is 42.3x that of Liberia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

The United Arab Emirates has higher GDP per capita ($79,229 vs $1,871). The United Arab Emirates' unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to Liberia's 2.9%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between United Arab Emirates and Liberia
Metric United Arab Emirates Liberia
Minimum wage /day None $6
Minimum wage /mo None $156
Avg. gross salary /mo AED16,000 /mo $4,356.71 $350 /mo
Avg. net salary /mo AED16,000 /mo $4,356.71 N/A/mo
Median individual income /yr AED120,000 /yr $32,675.29 $900 /yr

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means United Arab Emirates is higher.

Work Week

United Arab Emirates

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Standard workweek is 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (6-day week). Government sector moved to a 4.5-day week (Mon-Fri noon) in January 2022. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours/day. Overtime premium: 25% for normal overtime, 50% for overtime between 9pm-4am. Maximum 2 hours overtime per day. Friday is the weekly rest day (or as per contract).

Liberia

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 56 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

The Decent Work Act 2015 sets a standard workweek of 8 hours/day, 6 days/week (48 hours). Maximum 56 hours including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x. These rules apply to formal-sector employers.

See this comparison from Liberia's perspective: Liberia vs United Arab Emirates

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in United Arab Emirates or Liberia?

In the United Arab Emirates, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Liberia, it is $156/mo.

How much more does the average worker earn in United Arab Emirates compared to Liberia?

The average gross salary in the United Arab Emirates is AED16,000/mo ($4,356.71 USD), compared to $350/mo in Liberia. In USD terms, workers in the United Arab Emirates earn approximately 1145% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between United Arab Emirates and Liberia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the United Arab Emirates earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Liberia.

How do work hours compare between United Arab Emirates and Liberia?

Both United Arab Emirates and Liberia 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 United Arab Emirates and Liberia?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. United Arab Emirates has the higher GDP per capita at $79,229, which is 42.3x that of Liberia at $1,871. From the United Arab Emirates' perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.