Key Facts: Dominican Republic vs Sweden Wages
- Dominican Republic Minimum Wage
- RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD)
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Dominican Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RD$32,000 /mo ($526.32 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo — República Dominicana (2026-02-24), Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24)
Dominican Republic
Sweden
Updated 2026-02-24
Unlike Sweden, which has no statutory minimum wage, the Dominican Republic mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $526/mo in the Dominican Republic versus $4,318/mo in Sweden, a 8.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 2.6x that of Dominican Republic, underscoring the structural economic divide.
The Dominican Republic has lower GDP per capita ($27,542 vs $71,845). The Dominican Republic's unemployment rate is 5.1% compared to Sweden's 8.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dominican Republic | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RD$91.30 $1.50 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | RD$21,000 $345.39 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | RD$273,000 $4,490.13 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RD$32,000 /mo $526.32 | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RD$28,480 /mo $468.42 | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 |
| Median individual income /yr | RD$204,000 /yr $3,355.26 | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Dominican Republic is higher.
Work Week
- Dominican Republic
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Código de Trabajo (Labour Code) sets the standard workweek at 44 hours and workday at 8 hours. Night work (6pm-6am) maximum 36 hours/week. Mixed shifts maximum 40 hours/week. Overtime paid at 35% premium for the first 68 hours/month (beyond the standard 44-hour week), and 100% premium thereafter. Sunday and holiday work paid at double the regular rate.
- 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.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: the Dominican Republic mandates 44 hours while Sweden mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Sweden's perspective: Sweden vs Dominican Republic
Compare Dominican Republic with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Dominican Republic or Sweden?
In the Dominican Republic, the minimum wage is RD$91.30/hr ($1.50 USD). In Sweden, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Dominican Republic compared to Sweden?
The average gross salary in the Dominican Republic is RD$32,000/mo ($526.32 USD), compared to kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD) in Sweden. In USD terms, workers in the Dominican Republic earn approximately 720% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Dominican Republic 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 the Dominican Republic.
How do work hours compare between Dominican Republic and Sweden?
Dominican Republic has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sweden. Workers in the Dominican Republic work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sweden 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 Dominican Republic 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 2.6x that of Dominican Republic at $27,542. From the Dominican Republic'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.