Key Facts: Eswatini vs Morocco Wages
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Morocco Minimum Wage
- MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Morocco Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MAD6,000 /mo ($613.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Ministère de l'Inclusion Économique, de la Petite Entreprise, de l'Emploi et des Compétences (miepeec.gov.ma); 2026 SMIG/SMAG figures verified (second stage of two-stage 10% increase agreed in April 2024 social dialogue) (2026-05-04)
Eswatini
Morocco
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 85 times higher than in Morocco 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 $613/mo in Morocco. Morocco has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 9.0% compared to 34.2%.
Eswatini has higher GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $10,415). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to Morocco's 9.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Eswatini | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | MAD17.92 $1.83 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,500 $156.15 | MAD3,422.53 $349.95 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L6,000 /mo $374.77 | MAD6,000 /mo $613.50 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L5,000 /mo $312.30 | MAD5,100 /mo $521.47 |
| Median individual income /yr | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 | MAD30,000 /yr $3,067.48 |
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.
- Morocco
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 44 hours/week for non-agricultural sectors (2,288 hrs/year) and 48 hours/week for agriculture (2,496 hrs/year). Overtime: 25% premium for daytime hours, 50% for nighttime. On rest days/holidays: 50% daytime, 100% nighttime.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Morocco to Eswatini would see a 8422% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Eswatini mandates 48 hours while Morocco mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Eswatini are $7,495 vs $81 in Morocco.
See this comparison from Morocco's perspective: Morocco vs Eswatini
Compare Eswatini with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Morocco?
In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Morocco, it is MAD17.92/hr ($1.83 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 8422% 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 Morocco 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 Morocco?
The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to MAD6,000/mo ($613.50 USD) in Morocco. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 64% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Morocco is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Morocco 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 Morocco?
Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Morocco. Workers in Eswatini work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Morocco 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 Morocco?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Eswatini has the higher GDP per capita at $11,799, which is 1.1x that of Morocco at $10,415. From Eswatini's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.