Key Facts: Yemen vs Norway Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Yemen
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, which has no statutory minimum wage, Yemen mandates a wage floor of $88/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $356/mo in Yemen versus $5,953/mo in Norway, a 16.7:1 ratio. Norway has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.6% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
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.
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Yemen mandates 48 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Yemen
Compare Yemen with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Yemen or Norway?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Yemen compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 1570% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway 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 Norway?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Yemen work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway 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.