Key Facts: Yemen vs Timor-Leste Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Timor-Leste Minimum Wage
- $115/mo
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Timor-Leste Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $350 /mo ($350 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment — Timor-Leste / ILO (2026-02-25)
Yemen
Timor-Leste
Updated 2026-02-25
Yemen, a low-income economy, and Timor-Leste, classified as lower-middle-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average salaries are higher in Yemen at $356/mo compared to $350/mo in Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.6% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to Timor-Leste's 1.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | Timor-Leste |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | $115 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | $1,380 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | $350 /mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | $330 /mo |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | $1,500 /yr |
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.
- Timor-Leste
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 52 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Timor-Leste Labour Code sets a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 52 hours. Overtime is compensated at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays and Sundays is at 2x.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Yemen earns 31% less per hour in USD terms than one in Timor-Leste. Standard work weeks differ: Yemen mandates 48 hours while Timor-Leste mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Yemen are $4,227 vs $4,600 in Timor-Leste.
See this comparison from Timor-Leste's perspective: Timor-Leste vs Yemen
Compare Yemen with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Yemen or Timor-Leste?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In Timor-Leste, it is $115/mo. Timor-Leste has the higher rate by 31% 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 Timor-Leste?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to $350/mo in Timor-Leste. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 2% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and Timor-Leste 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 Timor-Leste.
How do work hours compare between Yemen and Timor-Leste?
Yemen has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Timor-Leste. Workers in Yemen work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Timor-Leste 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.