Key Facts: Uganda vs Bahrain Wages
- Uganda Minimum Wage
- UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25)
Uganda
Bahrain
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Uganda is roughly 22 times lower than in Bahrain in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $424/mo in Uganda versus $2,261/mo in Bahrain, a 5.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 20.5x that of Uganda, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Uganda's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Uganda's minimum wage buys less than Bahrain's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Uganda is $1 international dollars, compared to $10 in Bahrain. Uganda has lower GDP per capita ($3,273 vs $66,941). Uganda's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Bahrain's 1.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uganda | Bahrain |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | UGX750 $0.21 | BD1.73 $4.60 |
| Minimum wage /mo | UGX130,000 $36.78 | BD300 $797.87 |
| Minimum wage /yr | UGX1,560,000 $441.30 | BD3,600 $9,574.47 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 |
| Median individual income /yr | UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Uganda is higher.
Work Week
- Uganda
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.
- 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%.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Uganda earns 2069% less per hour in USD terms than one in Bahrain.
See this comparison from Bahrain's perspective: Bahrain vs Uganda
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uganda or Bahrain?
In Uganda, the minimum wage is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD). In Bahrain, it is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). Bahrain has the higher rate by 2069% 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 Uganda may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Uganda compared to Bahrain?
The average gross salary in Uganda is UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD), compared to BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD) in Bahrain. In USD terms, workers in Uganda earn approximately 433% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uganda 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 Uganda.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Uganda or Bahrain?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Bahrain can afford more than those in Uganda. The PPP-adjusted rate is $1 in Uganda and $10 in Bahrain. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 1588% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Uganda appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Uganda and Bahrain?
Both Uganda and Bahrain 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 Uganda 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 20.5x that of Uganda at $3,273. From Uganda'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.