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Key Facts: Eswatini vs Bahrain Wages

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

Eswatini flag Eswatini Bahrain flag Bahrain

Updated 2026-02-25

Eswatini flag Eswatini

Minimum Wage

L2,500 /mo

$156.15 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

L6,000 /mo

Bahrain flag Bahrain

Minimum Wage

BD1.73 /hr

$4.60 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

BD850 /mo

Min wage: +3294% Eswatini vs Bahrain Avg. salary: -83% Eswatini vs Bahrain

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

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

Detailed Comparison

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

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

Work Week

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.

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%.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Bahrain to Eswatini would see a 3294% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Bahrain?

In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Bahrain, it is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 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 less does the average worker earn in Eswatini compared to Bahrain?

The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD) in Bahrain. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 503% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Bahrain 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 Eswatini and Bahrain?

Both Eswatini and Bahrain 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 Eswatini and Bahrain?

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 Eswatini'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.