Key Facts: Yemen vs Laos Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Laos Minimum Wage
- ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Laos Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₭4,000,000 /mo ($185.79 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare — Lao PDR (2026-02-25)
Yemen 
Laos
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Yemen is roughly 182 times higher than in Laos in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Yemen at $356/mo compared to $186/mo in Laos. Laos has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.2% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to Laos' 1.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | Laos |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₭10,417 $0.48 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | ₭2,500,000 $116.12 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | ₭4,000,000 /mo $185.79 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | ₭3,600,000 /mo $167.21 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ₭18,000,000 /yr $836.04 |
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.
- Laos
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Workers in dangerous conditions are limited to 6 hours/day or 36 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 45 hours/month or 3 hours/day. Overtime compensation: 1.5x regular rate on normal days, 2.5x on weekly rest days during daytime, 3x on rest days at night. Governed by the Labour Law.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Laos to Yemen would see a 18101% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Laos's perspective: Laos 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 Laos?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In Laos, it is ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 18101% 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 Laos 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 Laos?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to ₭4,000,000/mo ($185.79 USD) in Laos. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 92% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and Laos 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 Laos.
How do work hours compare between Yemen and Laos?
Both Yemen and Laos 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.