Key Facts: Yemen vs Ecuador Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Ecuador Minimum Wage
- $1.96/hr
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Ecuador Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $650 /mo ($650 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), Ministerio del Trabajo — Ecuador; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2025-01-01) (2026-05-04)
Yemen
Ecuador
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Yemen is roughly 45 times higher than in Ecuador in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Yemen at $356/mo compared to $650/mo in Ecuador. Ecuador has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.3% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to Ecuador's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | Ecuador |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $1.96 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | $470 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | $6,580 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | $650 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | $585 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | $4,800 /yr |
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.
- Ecuador
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Código del Trabajo sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime (horas suplementarias) is paid at 50% premium for day hours and 100% premium for night hours (7pm-6am) and weekends/holidays. Maximum 4 hours of overtime per day, 12 hours per week. Night work (7pm-6am) has a 25% surcharge even within regular hours.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ecuador to Yemen would see a 4393% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Yemen mandates 48 hours while Ecuador mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Yemen are $4,227 vs $78 in Ecuador.
See this comparison from Ecuador's perspective: Ecuador vs Yemen
Compare Yemen with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Yemen or Ecuador?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In Ecuador, it is $1.96/hr. Yemen has the higher rate by 4393% 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 Ecuador may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Yemen compared to Ecuador?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to $650/mo in Ecuador. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 82% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and Ecuador is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ecuador earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Yemen.
How do work hours compare between Yemen and Ecuador?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Ecuador. Workers in Yemen work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Ecuador 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.