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Key Facts: Eswatini vs Chile Wages

Eswatini Minimum Wage
L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
Chile Minimum Wage
CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD)
Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
Chile Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
CLP750,000 /mo ($816.99 USD)
Data Sources
ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Dirección del Trabajo / Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social; 2026 rate per Ley 21.751 (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-27)

Eswatini flag Eswatini Chile flag Chile

Updated 2026-05-27

Eswatini flag Eswatini

Minimum Wage

L2,500 /mo

$156.15 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

L6,000 /mo

Chile flag Chile

Minimum Wage

CLP2,994 /hr

$3.26 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

CLP750,000 /mo

Min wage: +4688% Eswatini vs Chile Avg. salary: -54% Eswatini vs Chile

The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 48 times higher than in Chile 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 $817/mo in Chile, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Chile is 3.1x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Eswatini has lower GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $36,181). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to Chile's 9.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Eswatini and Chile
Metric Eswatini Chile
Minimum wage /hr CLP2,994 $3.26
Minimum wage /mo L2,500 $156.15 CLP539,000 $587.15
Minimum wage /yr CLP7,007,000 $7,632.90
Avg. gross salary /mo L6,000 /mo $374.77 CLP750,000 /mo $816.99
Avg. net salary /mo L5,000 /mo $312.30 CLP622,500 /mo $678.10
Median individual income /yr L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 CLP6,000,000 /yr $6,535.95

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.

Chile

43 hrs/wk standard

Max 43 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Ley de 40 horas (Ley 21.561) is reducing the workweek in steps: 45h → 44h (April 2024) → 43h (April 2026) → 40h (April 2028). As of April 26, 2026 the standard is 43h. Final reduction to 40h takes effect April 2028. Overtime paid at 50% premium, maximum 2 hours/day. Distributed across 5 or 6 working days.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Chile to Eswatini would see a 4688% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Eswatini mandates 48 hours while Chile mandates 43 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Eswatini are $7,495 vs $140 in Chile.

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

Compare Eswatini with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Chile?

In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Chile, it is CLP2,994/hr ($3.26 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 4688% 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 Chile 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 Chile?

The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to CLP750,000/mo ($816.99 USD) in Chile. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 118% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Chile is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Chile 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 Chile?

Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 43 hours in Chile. Workers in Eswatini work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Chile 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 Chile?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Chile has the higher GDP per capita at $36,181, which is 3.1x 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.