Key Facts: United Arab Emirates vs Tanzania Wages
- United Arab Emirates Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Tanzania Minimum Wage
- TZS1,010/hr ($0.38 USD)
- United Arab Emirates Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- AED16,000 /mo ($4,356.71 USD)
- Tanzania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TZS650,000 /mo ($244.36 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), Ministry of Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities; Labour Institutions (Minimum Wage for Private Sector) Order, 2025 — Government Notice No. 605A, gazetted 13 October 2025, eff 1 January 2026 (kazi.go.tz PDF) (2026-05-27)
United Arab Emirates
Tanzania
Updated 2026-05-27
The United Arab Emirates has no statutory minimum wage, while Tanzania sets a floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,357/mo in the United Arab Emirates versus $244/mo in Tanzania, a 17.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in United Arab Emirates is 18.8x that of Tanzania, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The United Arab Emirates has higher GDP per capita ($79,229 vs $4,221). The United Arab Emirates' unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to Tanzania's 1.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | United Arab Emirates | Tanzania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | TZS1,010 $0.38 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | TZS5,833 $2.19 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | TZS175,000 $65.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | TZS2,100,000 $789.47 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | AED16,000 /mo $4,356.71 | TZS650,000 /mo $244.36 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | AED16,000 /mo $4,356.71 | TZS520,000 /mo $195.49 |
| Median individual income /yr | AED120,000 /yr $32,675.29 | TZS2,400,000 /yr $902.26 |
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).
- Tanzania
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment and Labour Relations Act sets ordinary working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or various combinations not exceeding 45). Overtime: 150% of normal rate. Public holiday work: 200%. Maximum overtime is 50 hours in any 4-week cycle. Night work restrictions apply to pregnant women and young persons.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: the United Arab Emirates mandates 48 hours while Tanzania mandates 45 hours.
See this comparison from Tanzania's perspective: Tanzania vs United Arab Emirates
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in United Arab Emirates or Tanzania?
In the United Arab Emirates, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Tanzania, it is TZS1,010/hr ($0.38 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in United Arab Emirates compared to Tanzania?
The average gross salary in the United Arab Emirates is AED16,000/mo ($4,356.71 USD), compared to TZS650,000/mo ($244.36 USD) in Tanzania. In USD terms, workers in the United Arab Emirates earn approximately 1683% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between United Arab Emirates and Tanzania 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 Tanzania.
How do work hours compare between United Arab Emirates and Tanzania?
United Arab Emirates has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Tanzania. Workers in the United Arab Emirates work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Tanzania 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 United Arab Emirates and Tanzania?
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 18.8x that of Tanzania at $4,221. 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.