Key Facts: Yemen vs Democratic Republic of the Congo Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FC884/hr ($0.31 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FC400,000 /mo ($142.35 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / DRC Ministry of Labour / World Bank (2026-02-25)
Yemen
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Yemen is roughly 280 times higher than in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $356/mo in Yemen versus $142/mo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a 2.5:1 ratio. Democratic Republic of the Congo has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.4% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's 4.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | FC884 $0.31 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FC7,075 $2.52 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | FC184,950 $65.82 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | FC400,000 /mo $142.35 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | N/A/mo |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Yemen is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 015-2002) sets standard hours at 9 hours/day for a 5-day week or 7.5 hours/day for a 6-day week, totaling 45 hours/week. Maximum with overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% (day), 150% (night), 200% (Sundays and public holidays). These rules apply only to formal employment. The country observes 6 national public holidays.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Yemen would see a 27894% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Yemen mandates 48 hours while the Democratic Republic of the Congo mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Yemen are $4,227 vs $14 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
See this comparison from Democratic Republic of the Congo's perspective: Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Yemen
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Yemen or Democratic Republic of the Congo?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is FC884/hr ($0.31 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 27894% 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Yemen compared to Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to FC400,000/mo ($142.35 USD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 150% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and Democratic Republic of the Congo is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Yemen earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
How do work hours compare between Yemen and Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Workers in Yemen work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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.