Key Facts: Eswatini vs Iran Wages
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Iran Minimum Wage
- ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Iran Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ﷼400,000,000 /mo ($588.24 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Supreme Labour Council / ILO ILOSTAT. 2026 (Iranian year 1405) figure verified via WageIndicator (March 22, 2026 update) and Euronews coverage of 60% nominal increase amid sanctions pressure. (2026-05-04)
Eswatini
Iran
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 153 times higher than in Iran in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Eswatini at $375/mo compared to $588/mo in Iran. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iran is 1.7x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Eswatini has lower GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $19,874). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to Iran's 8.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Eswatini | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ﷼692,731 $1.02 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ﷼5,541,850 $8.15 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,500 $156.15 | ﷼166,255,500 $244.49 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ﷼1,995,066,000 $2,933.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L6,000 /mo $374.77 | ﷼400,000,000 /mo $588.24 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L5,000 /mo $312.30 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 | ﷼1,440,000,000 /yr $2,117.65 |
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.
- Iran
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
Article 51 of the Labour Law sets ordinary working hours at 44 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days, with 4 hours on the sixth day — or equivalent arrangements). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 140% of the ordinary hourly rate. Friday is the official weekly rest day. Workers in hazardous conditions have reduced hours.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Iran to Eswatini would see a 15228% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Eswatini mandates 48 hours while Iran mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Eswatini are $7,495 vs $45 in Iran.
See this comparison from Iran's perspective: Iran vs Eswatini
Compare Eswatini with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Iran?
In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Iran, it is ﷼692,731/hr ($1.02 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 15228% 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 Iran 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 Iran?
The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to ﷼400,000,000/mo ($588.24 USD) in Iran. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 57% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Iran is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iran 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 Iran?
Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Iran. Workers in Eswatini work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Iran 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 Iran?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iran has the higher GDP per capita at $19,874, which is 1.7x 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.