Yemen. — Average Salary & Wages

The minimum wage in Yemen is ﷼21,000/mo (approximately $88.07 USD), effective since 2012-01-01. Yemen's statutory minimum wage was set at approximately 21,000 YER/month under pre-war labour regulations. This figure has not been formally updated despite severe currency depreciation during the war. At a rate of approximately 1,300 YER/USD (IRG-controlled areas, 2023), this equals about USD 16/month — equivalent to extreme poverty. Government employees in Houthi-controlled Sanaa have frequently gone without pay for months or years; the same applies to IRG areas at times. Oil production — Yemen's primary revenue source — has largely ceased due to conflict. Remittances from Yemenis working in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf are a critical household income source. No reliable wage enforcement exists in any part of the country.

The average gross monthly salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000 (approximately $356.45 USD). Estimated average for formal sector workers across both IRG-controlled areas (Aden) and Houthi-controlled areas (Sanaa). At ~238 YER/USD (IRG areas), this equates to roughly USD 357/month. However, ~65% of reported formal salaries fall in the 20,000–51,500 YER/month range, with the median closer to 30,000 YER. Government employees — a major source of formal employment — have frequently gone months or years without receiving salaries in both IRG and Houthi territories. Over 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. Remittances from Yemenis working in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf are a critical household income source. The YER has diverged between IRG and Houthi areas, making a single figure inherently misleading. Data should be treated with extreme caution. Source: ILO / World Bank / Salary Explorer / Arab Wages (2024).

The standard work week in Yemen is 48 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. 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.

The minimum wage in Yemen has changed as follows: ﷼21,000 in 2019, ﷼21,000 in 2022, ﷼21,000 in 2024. This represents 3 recorded adjustments.

The minimum wage in Yemen converts to approximately $88.07/mo in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.

The average gross monthly salary in Yemen is approximately $356.45 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.