Key Facts: Yemen vs Lesotho Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Lesotho Minimum Wage
- L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Lesotho Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L4,500 /mo ($281.07 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Employment (Lesotho) / Wages Order (2026-02-25)
Yemen 
Lesotho
Updated 2026-02-25
Yemen, a low-income economy, and Lesotho, classified as lower-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average salaries are higher in Yemen at $356/mo compared to $281/mo in Lesotho.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to Lesotho's 16.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | Lesotho |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | L2,000 $124.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | L4,500 /mo $281.07 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | L18,000 /yr $1,124.30 |
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.
- Lesotho
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.33x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 45 hours/week (9 hrs/day, 5 days or 7.5 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours/week including overtime (9 hours overtime limit). Overtime paid at 1.33x normal rate. Sunday rest day and 12 public holidays per year.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Yemen earns 42% less per hour in USD terms than one in Lesotho. Standard work weeks differ: Yemen mandates 48 hours while Lesotho mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Yemen are $4,227 vs $5,621 in Lesotho.
See this comparison from Lesotho's perspective: Lesotho 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 Lesotho?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In Lesotho, it is L2,000/mo ($124.92 USD). Lesotho has the higher rate by 42% 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 Yemen 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 Lesotho?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to L4,500/mo ($281.07 USD) in Lesotho. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 27% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and Lesotho 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 Lesotho.
How do work hours compare between Yemen and Lesotho?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Lesotho. Workers in Yemen work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Lesotho 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.