Key Facts: United Arab Emirates vs Somalia Wages
- United Arab Emirates Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Somalia Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- United Arab Emirates Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- AED16,000 /mo ($4,356.71 USD)
- Somalia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sh150,000 /mo ($262.70 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 ILOSTAT / World Bank / UN OCHA Somalia (2026-02-25)
United Arab Emirates
Somalia
Updated 2026-05-04
Neither United Arab Emirates nor Somalia has a statutory minimum wage, relying instead on collective bargaining or sectoral agreements. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,357/mo in the United Arab Emirates versus $263/mo in Somalia, a 16.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in United Arab Emirates is 49.5x that of Somalia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The United Arab Emirates has higher GDP per capita ($79,229 vs $1,602). The United Arab Emirates' unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to Somalia's 18.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | United Arab Emirates | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. gross salary /mo | AED16,000 /mo $4,356.71 | Sh150,000 /mo $262.70 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | AED16,000 /mo $4,356.71 | Sh140,000 /mo $245.18 |
| Median individual income /yr | AED120,000 /yr $32,675.29 | N/A/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).
- 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.
See this comparison from Somalia's perspective: Somalia vs United Arab Emirates
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much more does the average worker earn in United Arab Emirates compared to Somalia?
The average gross salary in the United Arab Emirates is AED16,000/mo ($4,356.71 USD), compared to Sh150,000/mo ($262.70 USD) in Somalia. In USD terms, workers in the United Arab Emirates earn approximately 1558% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between United Arab Emirates and Somalia 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 Somalia.
How do work hours compare between United Arab Emirates and Somalia?
Both United Arab Emirates and Somalia 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 Somalia?
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 49.5x that of Somalia at $1,602. 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.