Key Facts: Zambia vs Yemen Wages
- Zambia Minimum Wage
- ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD)
- Yemen Minimum Wage
- ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 USD)
- Zambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ZK7,000 /mo ($369.20 USD)
- Yemen Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼85,000 /mo ($356.45 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security / Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Yemen economic monitors (2026-02-25)
Zambia 
Yemen
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Zambia is roughly 267 times lower than in Yemen in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Zambia at $369/mo compared to $356/mo in Yemen. Zambia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.9% compared to 17.3%.
Zambia's unemployment rate is 5.9% compared to Yemen's 17.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Zambia | Yemen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ZK6.25 $0.33 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ZK1,300 $68.57 | ﷼21,000 $88.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ZK15,600 $822.78 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ZK7,000 /mo $369.20 | ﷼85,000 /mo $356.45 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ZK5,800 /mo $305.91 | ﷼75,000 /mo $314.52 |
| Median individual income /yr | ZK28,000 /yr $1,476.79 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Zambia is higher.
Work Week
- 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.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Zambia earns 26615% less per hour in USD terms than one in Yemen.
See this comparison from Yemen's perspective: Yemen vs Zambia
Compare Zambia with...
Zambia vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Zambia vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Zambia vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Zambia vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Zambia vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Zambia vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Zambia vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Zambia vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Zambia vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Zambia vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Zambia vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Zambia vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Zambia vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Zambia vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Zambia vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Zambia vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Zambia vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Zambia vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Zambia vs Switzerland 
Zambia vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Zambia vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Zambia vs Sweden 
Zambia vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Zambia vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Zambia or Yemen?
In Zambia, the minimum wage is ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD). In Yemen, it is ﷼21,000/mo ($88.07 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 more does the average worker earn in Zambia compared to Yemen?
The average gross salary in Zambia is ZK7,000/mo ($369.20 USD), compared to ﷼85,000/mo ($356.45 USD) in Yemen. In USD terms, workers in Zambia earn approximately 4% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Zambia and Yemen 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 Zambia and Yemen?
Both Zambia and Yemen 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.