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Key Facts: Albania vs Eswatini Wages

Albania Minimum Wage
L287/hr ($3.51 USD)
Eswatini Minimum Wage
L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
Albania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
L83,000 /mo ($1,015.04 USD)
Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Finance and Economy / Council of Ministers of Albania (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25)

Albania flag Albania Eswatini flag Eswatini

Updated 2026-02-25

Albania flag Albania

Minimum Wage

L287 /hr

$3.51 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

L83,000 /mo

Eswatini flag Eswatini

Minimum Wage

L2,500 /mo

$156.15 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

L6,000 /mo

Min wage: -98% Albania vs Eswatini Avg. salary: +171% Albania vs Eswatini

The minimum wage in Albania is roughly 44 times lower than in Eswatini in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,015/mo in Albania versus $375/mo in Eswatini, a 2.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Albania is 2.3x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Albania has higher GDP per capita ($26,702 vs $11,799). Albania's unemployment rate is 10.9% compared to Eswatini's 34.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Albania and Eswatini
Metric Albania Eswatini
Minimum wage /hr L287 $3.51
Minimum wage /mo L50,000 $611.47 L2,500 $156.15
Minimum wage /yr L600,000 $7,337.65
Avg. gross salary /mo L83,000 /mo $1,015.04 L6,000 /mo $374.77
Avg. net salary /mo L66,000 /mo $807.14 L5,000 /mo $312.30
Median individual income /yr L480,000 /yr $5,870.12 L24,000 /yr $1,499.06

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Albania is higher.

Work Week

Albania

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Overtime premium minimum 25% above standard rate. Weekend/holiday work premium minimum 50%. Maximum 200 hours overtime per year. Cannot exceed 48 hours in any single week except exceptional circumstances.

Eswatini

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 54 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Employment Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours per week including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Sunday and public holidays compensated at 2x. Employees are entitled to 14 days paid annual leave.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Albania earns 4349% less per hour in USD terms than one in Eswatini. Standard work weeks differ: Albania mandates 40 hours while Eswatini mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Albania are $140 vs $7,495 in Eswatini.

See this comparison from Eswatini's perspective: Eswatini vs Albania

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Albania or Eswatini?

In Albania, the minimum wage is L287/hr ($3.51 USD). In Eswatini, it is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 4349% 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 Albania may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Albania compared to Eswatini?

The average gross salary in Albania is L83,000/mo ($1,015.04 USD), compared to L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD) in Eswatini. In USD terms, workers in Albania earn approximately 171% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Albania and Eswatini is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Albania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Eswatini.

How do work hours compare between Albania and Eswatini?

Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Albania. Workers in Albania work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Albania 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.

What is the cost of living difference between Albania and Eswatini?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Albania has the higher GDP per capita at $26,702, which is 2.3x that of Eswatini at $11,799. From Albania's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.