Key Facts: Yemen vs Panama Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Panama Minimum Wage
- B/.1.69/hr ($1.69 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Panama Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B/.1,100 /mo ($1,100 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral (MITRADEL) (2026-02-24)
Yemen 
Panama
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Yemen is roughly 52 times higher than in Panama in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $356/mo in Yemen versus $1,100/mo in Panama, a 3.1:1 ratio. Panama has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 8.4% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to Panama's 8.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | Panama |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | B/.1.69 $1.69 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | B/.326 $326 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | B/.4,238 $4,238 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | B/.1,100 /mo $1,100 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | B/.990 /mo $990 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | B/.7,800 /yr $7,800 |
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.
- Panama
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets maximum ordinary workday at 8 hours (daytime), 7 hours (mixed shift), and 6 hours (nighttime). Weekly maximum 48 hours for day work. Overtime: 25% surcharge for first 3 hours, 50% thereafter on regular days; 50% on holidays; and 75% on rest days (Sundays). Night work (6pm-6am) earns a 50% surcharge.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Panama to Yemen would see a 5111% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Panama's perspective: Panama 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 Panama?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In Panama, it is B/.1.69/hr ($1.69 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 5111% 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 Panama 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 Panama?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to B/.1,100/mo ($1,100 USD) in Panama. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 209% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and Panama is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Panama 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 Panama?
Both Yemen and Panama 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.