Key Facts: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Eswatini Wages
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Minimum Wage
- KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD)
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KM1,870 /mo ($1,126.51 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Data Sources
- Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHAS) (2026-02-25), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Eswatini
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina is roughly 45 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: $1,127/mo in Bosnia and Herzegovina versus $375/mo in Eswatini, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 2.1x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has higher GDP per capita ($25,043 vs $11,799). Bosnia and Herzegovina's unemployment rate is 11.0% compared to Eswatini's 34.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Eswatini |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | KM5.75 $3.46 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | KM1,000 $602.41 | L2,500 $156.15 |
| Minimum wage /yr | KM12,000 $7,228.92 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | KM1,870 /mo $1,126.51 | L6,000 /mo $374.77 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | KM1,314 /mo $791.57 | L5,000 /mo $312.30 |
| Median individual income /yr | KM10,800 /yr $6,506.02 | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bosnia and Herzegovina is higher.
Work Week
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week in FBiH and 4 hours per day in RS. Overtime premium at least 30%. Night work premium at least 30%. Weekend work premium at least 20%. Holiday work premium at least 50%.
- 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina earns 4408% less per hour in USD terms than one in Eswatini. Standard work weeks differ: Bosnia and Herzegovina mandates 40 hours while Eswatini mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bosnia and Herzegovina are $139 vs $7,495 in Eswatini.
See this comparison from Eswatini's perspective: Eswatini vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Compare Bosnia and Herzegovina with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bosnia and Herzegovina or Eswatini?
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the minimum wage is KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD). In Eswatini, it is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 4408% 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bosnia and Herzegovina compared to Eswatini?
The average gross salary in Bosnia and Herzegovina is KM1,870/mo ($1,126.51 USD), compared to L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD) in Eswatini. In USD terms, workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina earn approximately 201% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Eswatini is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Eswatini.
How do work hours compare between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Eswatini?
Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina and Eswatini?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bosnia and Herzegovina has the higher GDP per capita at $25,043, which is 2.1x that of Eswatini at $11,799. From Bosnia and Herzegovina'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.