Key Facts: Eswatini vs Peru Wages
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Peru Minimum Wage
- S/5.89/hr ($1.60 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Peru Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S/2,200 /mo ($597.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo (MTPE); DS 006-2024-TR (1,130 PEN eff 2025-01-01); DS 003-2022-TR (1,025 PEN eff 2022-05-01) (2026-05-27)
Eswatini
Peru
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 98 times higher than in Peru 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 $598/mo in Peru. GDP per capita (PPP) in Peru is 1.5x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Eswatini has lower GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $17,802). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to Peru's 5.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Eswatini | Peru |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | S/5.89 $1.60 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,500 $156.15 | S/1,130 $307.07 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | S/15,820 $4,298.91 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L6,000 /mo $374.77 | S/2,200 /mo $597.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L5,000 /mo $312.30 | S/1,870 /mo $508.15 |
| Median individual income /yr | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 | S/15,600 /yr $4,239.13 |
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.
- Peru
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Constitution sets maximum at 48 hours/week, 8 hours/day (or 6 days at 8 hrs). Office workers commonly work 40-45 hrs. Overtime: first 2 hours at 125%, subsequent hours at 135%. Night shift (10pm-6am) receives a 35% surcharge.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Peru to Eswatini would see a 9656% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Peru's perspective: Peru vs Eswatini
Compare Eswatini with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Peru?
In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Peru, it is S/5.89/hr ($1.60 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 9656% 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 Peru 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 Peru?
The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to S/2,200/mo ($597.83 USD) in Peru. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 60% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Peru is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Peru 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 Peru?
Both Eswatini and Peru mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Eswatini and Peru?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Peru has the higher GDP per capita at $17,802, which is 1.5x 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.