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Key Facts: Bahrain vs Eswatini Wages

Bahrain Minimum Wage
BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
Eswatini Minimum Wage
L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25)

Bahrain flag Bahrain Eswatini flag Eswatini

Updated 2026-02-25

Bahrain flag Bahrain

Minimum Wage

BD1.73 /hr

$4.60 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

BD850 /mo

Eswatini flag Eswatini

Minimum Wage

L2,500 /mo

$156.15 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

L6,000 /mo

Min wage: -97% Bahrain vs Eswatini Avg. salary: +503% Bahrain vs Eswatini

The minimum wage in Bahrain is roughly 34 times lower than in Eswatini in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,261/mo in Bahrain versus $375/mo in Eswatini, a 6.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 5.7x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $11,799). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Eswatini's 34.2%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Bahrain and Eswatini
Metric Bahrain Eswatini
Minimum wage /hr BD1.73 $4.60
Minimum wage /mo BD300 $797.87 L2,500 $156.15
Minimum wage /yr BD3,600 $9,574.47
Avg. gross salary /mo BD850 /mo $2,260.64 L6,000 /mo $374.77
Avg. net salary /mo BD840 /mo $2,234.04 L5,000 /mo $312.30
Median individual income /yr BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 L24,000 /yr $1,499.06

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

Work Week

Bahrain

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, Muslim workers' hours are reduced to 6 hours/day (36 hours/week). Overtime paid at 125% of normal rate; Friday work at 150%.

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 Bahrain earns 3294% less per hour in USD terms than one in Eswatini.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Eswatini?

In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In Eswatini, it is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 3294% 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 Bahrain may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

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

The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD) in Eswatini. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 503% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Eswatini is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bahrain earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Eswatini.

How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Eswatini?

Both Bahrain and Eswatini 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.

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

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bahrain has the higher GDP per capita at $66,941, which is 5.7x that of Eswatini at $11,799. From Bahrain'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.