Key Facts: Yemen vs Ethiopia Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Ethiopia Minimum Wage
- ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Ethiopia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ETB6,500 /mo ($50.78 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-24)
Yemen 
Ethiopia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Yemen is roughly 1503 times higher than in Ethiopia 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 $51/mo in Ethiopia, a 7.0:1 ratio. Ethiopia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.3% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to Ethiopia's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | Ethiopia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ETB7.50 $0.06 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ETB43.33 $0.34 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | ETB1,300 $10.16 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ETB15,600 $121.88 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | ETB6,500 /mo $50.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | ETB5,600 /mo $43.75 |
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.
- Ethiopia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 125% for first 2 hours, 150% for additional hours, 200% for weekends, 250% for public holidays. Night work (10pm-6am) carries a 50% premium. These regulations apply to formal employment relationships only.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ethiopia to Yemen would see a 150198% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Ethiopia's perspective: Ethiopia vs Yemen
Compare Yemen with...
Yemen vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Yemen vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Yemen vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Yemen vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Yemen vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Yemen vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Yemen vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Yemen vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Yemen vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Yemen vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Yemen vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Yemen vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Yemen vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Yemen vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Yemen vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Yemen vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Yemen vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Yemen vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Yemen vs Switzerland 
Yemen vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Yemen vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Yemen vs Sweden 
Yemen vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Yemen vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Yemen or Ethiopia?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In Ethiopia, it is ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 150198% 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 Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to ETB6,500/mo ($50.78 USD) in Ethiopia. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 602% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia.
How do work hours compare between Yemen and Ethiopia?
Both Yemen and Ethiopia 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.