Skip to main content

Key Facts: Eswatini vs Brazil Wages

Eswatini Minimum Wage
L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
Brazil Minimum Wage
R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD)
Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
Brazil Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
R$3,200 /mo ($636.88 USD)
Data Sources
ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment (2026-03-02)

Eswatini flag Eswatini Brazil flag Brazil

Updated 2026-03-02

Eswatini flag Eswatini

Minimum Wage

L2,500 /mo

$156.15 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

L6,000 /mo

Brazil flag Brazil

Minimum Wage

R$7.37 /hr

$1.47 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

R$3,200 /mo

Min wage: +10546% Eswatini vs Brazil Avg. salary: -41% Eswatini vs Brazil

The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 106 times higher than in Brazil in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Eswatini at $375/mo compared to $637/mo in Brazil. GDP per capita (PPP) in Brazil is 1.9x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Eswatini has lower GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $22,338). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to Brazil's 6.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Eswatini and Brazil
Metric Eswatini Brazil
Minimum wage /hr R$7.37 $1.47
Minimum wage /day R$54.04 $10.76
Minimum wage /mo L2,500 $156.15 R$1,621 $322.62
Minimum wage /yr R$21,073 $4,194.05
Avg. gross salary /mo L6,000 /mo $374.77 R$3,200 /mo $636.88
Avg. net salary /mo L5,000 /mo $312.30 R$2,700 /mo $537.37
Median individual income /yr L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 R$22,800 /yr $4,537.76

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.

Brazil

44 hrs/wk standard

Max 44 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Constitutional limit of 44 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Overtime minimum 50% premium (often higher by collective agreement). Sundays and holidays: 100% premium.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Brazil to Eswatini would see a 10546% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Eswatini mandates 48 hours while Brazil mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Eswatini are $7,495 vs $65 in Brazil.

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

Compare Eswatini with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Brazil?

In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Brazil, it is R$7.37/hr ($1.47 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 10546% 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 Brazil 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 Brazil?

The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to R$3,200/mo ($636.88 USD) in Brazil. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 70% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Brazil is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Brazil 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 Brazil?

Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Brazil. Workers in Eswatini work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Brazil 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 Brazil?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Brazil has the higher GDP per capita at $22,338, which is 1.9x 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.