Key Facts: Eswatini vs Uzbekistan Wages
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Uzbekistan Minimum Wage
- сўм6,838/hr ($0.56 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Uzbekistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- сўм5,357,000 /mo ($439.03 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25), Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan (2026-02-25)
Eswatini
Uzbekistan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Eswatini is roughly 279 times higher than in Uzbekistan 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 $439/mo in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.6% compared to 34.2%.
Eswatini has lower GDP per capita ($11,799 vs $11,879). Eswatini's unemployment rate is 34.2% compared to Uzbekistan's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Eswatini | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | сўм6,838 $0.56 |
| Minimum wage /mo | L2,500 $156.15 | сўм1,155,000 $94.66 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | сўм13,860,000 $1,135.88 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L6,000 /mo $374.77 | сўм5,357,000 /mo $439.03 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L5,000 /mo $312.30 | сўм4,714,000 /mo $386.33 |
| Median individual income /yr | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 | сўм30,000,000 /yr $2,458.61 |
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.
- Uzbekistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours. Reduced hours (36 hrs) for workers aged 16-18, hazardous conditions, and night work. Overtime limited to 4 hours per day and 120 hours per year. Overtime is compensated at double rate. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%. Holiday work at double rate.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Uzbekistan to Eswatini would see a 27764% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Eswatini mandates 48 hours while Uzbekistan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Eswatini are $7,495 vs $22 in Uzbekistan.
See this comparison from Uzbekistan's perspective: Uzbekistan vs Eswatini
Compare Eswatini with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Eswatini or Uzbekistan?
In Eswatini, the minimum wage is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). In Uzbekistan, it is сўм6,838/hr ($0.56 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 27764% 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 Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
The average gross salary in Eswatini is L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD), compared to сўм5,357,000/mo ($439.03 USD) in Uzbekistan. In USD terms, workers in Eswatini earn approximately 17% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Eswatini and Uzbekistan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Uzbekistan. Workers in Eswatini work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Uzbekistan has the higher GDP per capita at $11,879, which is 1.0x 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.