Key Facts: Yemen vs Eritrea Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Eritrea Minimum Wage
- Nfk600/mo ($40 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Eritrea Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Nfk6,000 /mo ($400 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHCHR Eritrea reports (2026-02-25)
Yemen
Eritrea
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Yemen is 120% higher than in Eritrea when converted to USD. Average salaries are lower in Yemen at $356/mo compared to $400/mo in Eritrea. Eritrea has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 6.0% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to Eritrea's 6.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | Eritrea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | Nfk600 $40 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | Nfk6,000 /mo $400 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | Nfk5,400 /mo $360 |
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.
- Eritrea
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Labour Law sets 44 hours/week for civilian workers (8 hours/day, 5.5 days). However, the national service program operates under military regulations outside normal labour law. No reliable enforcement or monitoring data is available.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Eritrea to Yemen would see a 120% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Yemen mandates 48 hours while Eritrea mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Yemen are $4,227 vs $1,760 in Eritrea.
See this comparison from Eritrea's perspective: Eritrea vs Yemen
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Yemen or Eritrea?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In Eritrea, it is Nfk600/mo ($40 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 120% 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 Eritrea 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 Eritrea?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to Nfk6,000/mo ($400 USD) in Eritrea. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 12% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and Eritrea is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Eritrea 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 Eritrea?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Eritrea. Workers in Yemen work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Eritrea 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.