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Key Facts: Eswatini vs Oman Wages

Eswatini Minimum Wage
L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
Oman Minimum Wage
OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD)
Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
Oman Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
OMR850 /mo ($2,207.79 USD)
Data Sources
ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour — Sultanate of Oman (2026-02-25)

Eswatini flag Eswatini Oman flag Oman

Updated 2026-02-25

Eswatini flag Eswatini

Minimum Wage

L2,500 /mo

$156.15 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

L6,000 /mo

Oman flag Oman

Minimum Wage

OMR1.88 /hr

$4.88 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

OMR850 /mo

Min wage: +3098% Eswatini vs Oman Avg. salary: -83% Eswatini vs Oman

The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 32 times higher than in Oman 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 $2,208/mo in Oman, a 5.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Oman is 3.5x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Eswatini has lower GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $41,740). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to Oman's 3.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Eswatini and Oman
Metric Eswatini Oman
Minimum wage /hr OMR1.88 $4.88
Minimum wage /mo L2,500 $156.15 OMR325 $844.16
Minimum wage /yr OMR3,900 $10,129.87
Avg. gross salary /mo L6,000 /mo $374.77 OMR850 /mo $2,207.79
Avg. net salary /mo L5,000 /mo $312.30 OMR820 /mo $2,129.87
Median individual income /yr L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 OMR5,400 /yr $14,025.97

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.

Oman

45 hrs/wk standard

Max 45 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 9 hours/day or 45 hours/week. During Ramadan, Muslim workers' hours are reduced to 6 hours/day or 30 hours/week. Overtime paid at 125% for regular days and 150% for holidays/weekends.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Oman to Eswatini would see a 3098% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Eswatini mandates 48 hours while Oman mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Eswatini are $7,495 vs $220 in Oman.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Oman?

In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Oman, it is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 3098% 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 Oman 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 Oman?

The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD) in Oman. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 489% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Oman is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Oman 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 Oman?

Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Oman. Workers in Eswatini work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Oman 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 Oman?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Oman has the higher GDP per capita at $41,740, which is 3.5x 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.