Key Facts: Yemen vs Zambia Wages
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Zambia Minimum Wage
- ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Zambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ZK7,000 /mo ($369.20 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Security / Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act (2026-02-25)
Yemen
Zambia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Yemen is roughly 267 times higher than in Zambia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Yemen at $356/mo compared to $369/mo in Zambia. Zambia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.9% compared to 17.3%.
Yemen's unemployment rate is 17.3% compared to Zambia's 5.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Yemen | Zambia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ZK6.25 $0.33 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ﷼21,000 $88.07 | ZK1,300 $68.57 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ZK15,600 $822.78 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 | ZK7,000 /mo $369.20 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 | ZK5,800 /mo $305.91 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ZK28,000 /yr $1,476.79 |
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.
- Zambia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate on regular days, 2x on Sundays and public holidays. Governed by the Employment Code Act, 2019.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Zambia to Yemen would see a 26615% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Zambia's perspective: Zambia vs Yemen
Compare Yemen with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Yemen or Zambia?
In Yemen, the minimum wage is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD). In Zambia, it is ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD). Yemen has the higher rate by 26615% 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 Zambia 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 Zambia?
The average gross salary in Yemen is ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD), compared to ZK7,000/mo ($369.20 USD) in Zambia. In USD terms, workers in Yemen earn approximately 4% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Yemen and Zambia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Zambia 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 Zambia?
Both Yemen and Zambia 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.