Key Facts: United Arab Emirates vs Yemen Wages
- United Arab Emirates Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- United Arab Emirates Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- AED16,000 /mo ($4,356.71 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 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 / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
United Arab Emirates 
Yemen
Updated 2026-05-04
The United Arab Emirates has no statutory minimum wage, while Yemen sets a floor of $88/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,357/mo in the United Arab Emirates versus $356/mo in Yemen, a 12.2:1 ratio. United Arab Emirates has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 2.2% compared to 17.3%.
The United Arab Emirates' unemployment rate is 2.2% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | United Arab Emirates | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | None | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | AED16,000 /mo $4,356.71 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | AED16,000 /mo $4,356.71 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| 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).
- Yemen
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets 48 hours/week. Thursday–Friday is the traditional weekend. Normal labour law enforcement has effectively ceased. Informal employment — petty trade, agriculture, and subsistence activities — dominates the economy.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs United Arab Emirates
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Is the minimum wage higher in United Arab Emirates or Yemen?
In the United Arab Emirates, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in United Arab Emirates compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in the United Arab Emirates is AED16,000/mo ($4,356.71 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in the United Arab Emirates earn approximately 1122% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between United Arab Emirates and Yemen 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 Yemen.
How do work hours compare between United Arab Emirates and Yemen?
Both United Arab Emirates and Yemen 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.