Key Facts: Eswatini vs Senegal Wages
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Senegal Minimum Wage
- CFA433/hr ($0.78 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Senegal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA126,000 /mo ($226.21 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Direction Générale du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (DGTSS) / Ministère du Travail; Décret n° 2023-1710 du 7 août 2023 (dgtss.gouv.sn + travail.gouv.sn) (2026-05-27)
Eswatini
Senegal
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 201 times higher than in Senegal in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Eswatini at $375/mo compared to $226/mo in Senegal. GDP per capita (PPP) in Eswatini is 2.3x that of Senegal, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Eswatini has higher GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $5,071). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to Senegal's 2.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Eswatini | Senegal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | CFA433 $0.78 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,500 $156.15 | CFA75,052 $134.74 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | CFA900,624 $1,616.92 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L6,000 /mo $374.77 | CFA126,000 /mo $226.21 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L5,000 /mo $312.30 | CFA108,000 /mo $193.90 |
| Median individual income /yr | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 | CFA480,000 /yr $861.76 |
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.
- Senegal
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.1x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week. Overtime rates: 110% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 135% for subsequent hours. Night work (10pm-5am) and holiday work are compensated at higher rates.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Senegal to Eswatini would see a 19987% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Eswatini mandates 48 hours while Senegal mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Eswatini are $7,495 vs $31 in Senegal.
See this comparison from Senegal's perspective: Senegal vs Eswatini
Compare Eswatini with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Senegal?
In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Senegal, it is CFA433/hr ($0.78 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 19987% 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 Senegal may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Eswatini compared to Senegal?
The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to CFA126,000/mo ($226.21 USD) in Senegal. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 66% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Senegal is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Eswatini earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Senegal.
How do work hours compare between Eswatini and Senegal?
Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Senegal. Workers in Eswatini work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Senegal 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 Senegal?
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 2.3x that of Senegal at $5,071. 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.