Key Facts: Eswatini vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Wages
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Minimum Wage
- KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KM1,870 /mo ($1,126.51 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHAS) (2026-02-25)
Eswatini
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 45 times higher than in Bosnia and Herzegovina in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $375/mo in Eswatini versus $1,127/mo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a 3.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 2.1x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Eswatini has lower GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $25,043). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina's 11.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Eswatini | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | KM5.75 $3.46 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,500 $156.15 | KM1,000 $602.41 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | KM12,000 $7,228.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L6,000 /mo $374.77 | KM1,870 /mo $1,126.51 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L5,000 /mo $312.30 | KM1,314 /mo $791.57 |
| Median individual income /yr | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 | KM10,800 /yr $6,506.02 |
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.
- 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%.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Eswatini would see a 4408% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Eswatini mandates 48 hours while Bosnia and Herzegovina mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Eswatini are $7,495 vs $139 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
See this comparison from Bosnia and Herzegovina's perspective: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Eswatini
Compare Eswatini with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is KM5.75/hr ($3.46 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 less does the average worker earn in Eswatini compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to KM1,870/mo ($1,126.51 USD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 201% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 Eswatini and Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Workers in Eswatini work 48 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 Eswatini and Bosnia and Herzegovina?
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 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.