Key Facts: Cameroon vs Sweden Wages
- Cameroon Minimum Wage
- FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD)
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Cameroon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA200,000 /mo ($359.07 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale — Cameroon (2026-02-25), Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24)
Cameroon
Sweden
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Sweden, which has no statutory minimum wage, Cameroon mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $359/mo in Cameroon versus $4,318/mo in Sweden, a 12.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 12.9x that of Cameroon, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Cameroon has lower GDP per capita ($5,589 vs $71,845). Cameroon's unemployment rate is 3.6% compared to Sweden's 8.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cameroon | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FCFA254 $0.46 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA43,969 $78.94 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | FCFA527,628 $947.27 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA200,000 /mo $359.07 | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | FCFA170,000 /mo $305.21 | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 |
| Median individual income /yr | FCFA600,000 /yr $1,077.20 | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cameroon is higher.
Work Week
- Cameroon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.2x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week for non-agricultural workers and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 120% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 140% for subsequent hours. Night work and holiday work have higher multipliers.
- Sweden
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Working Hours Act / Arbetstidslagen). Maximum overtime is 48 hours over 4 weeks or 200 hours per calendar year. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements, not statute. Many agreements provide overtime at 150-200% of normal pay. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
See this comparison from Sweden's perspective: Sweden vs Cameroon
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cameroon or Sweden?
In Cameroon, the minimum wage is FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD). In Sweden, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Cameroon compared to Sweden?
The average gross salary in Cameroon is FCFA200,000/mo ($359.07 USD), compared to kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD) in Sweden. In USD terms, workers in Cameroon earn approximately 1102% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cameroon and Sweden is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Sweden earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cameroon.
How do work hours compare between Cameroon and Sweden?
Both Cameroon and Sweden mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Cameroon and Sweden?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Sweden has the higher GDP per capita at $71,845, which is 12.9x that of Cameroon at $5,589. From Cameroon's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.