Key Facts: Eswatini vs Guyana Wages
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Guyana Minimum Wage
- G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25)
Eswatini
Guyana
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 94 times higher than in Guyana 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 $478/mo in Guyana. GDP per capita (PPP) in Guyana is 6.8x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Eswatini has lower GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $80,155). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to Guyana's 12.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Eswatini | Guyana |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | G$347 $1.66 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,500 $156.15 | G$60,147 $287.44 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L6,000 /mo $374.77 | G$100,000 /mo $477.90 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L5,000 /mo $312.30 | G$80,000 /mo $382.32 |
| Median individual income /yr | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 | G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38 |
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.
- Guyana
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate on weekdays and 2x on public holidays. Governed by the Labour Act. Some sectors (sugar, mining) may have different arrangements through collective agreements.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Guyana to Eswatini would see a 9316% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Eswatini mandates 48 hours while Guyana mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Eswatini are $7,495 vs $66 in Guyana.
See this comparison from Guyana's perspective: Guyana vs Eswatini
Compare Eswatini with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Guyana?
In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Guyana, it is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 9316% 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 Guyana 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 Guyana?
The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD) in Guyana. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 28% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Guyana is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Guyana 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 Guyana?
Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Guyana. Workers in Eswatini work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Guyana 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 Guyana?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Guyana has the higher GDP per capita at $80,155, which is 6.8x 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.