Key Facts: Jordan vs Sweden Wages
- Jordan Minimum Wage
- JD1.67/hr ($2.36 USD)
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Jordan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- JD613 /mo ($864.60 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Jordan (2026-02-25), Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24)
Jordan
Sweden
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Sweden, which has no statutory minimum wage, Jordan mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $865/mo in Jordan versus $4,318/mo in Sweden, a 5.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 6.6x that of Jordan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Jordan has lower GDP per capita ($10,821 vs $71,845). Jordan's unemployment rate is 16.5% compared to Sweden's 8.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Jordan | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | JD1.67 $2.36 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | JD290 $409.03 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | JD3,480 $4,908.32 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | JD613 /mo $864.60 | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | JD525 /mo $740.48 | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 |
| Median individual income /yr | JD4,320 /yr $6,093.09 | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Jordan is higher.
Work Week
- Jordan
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime work must not exceed 4 hours per day and is compensated at 125% of normal wage. Friday is the normal rest day. Overtime on Fridays and public holidays is paid at 150%.
- Sweden
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Working Hours Act / Arbetstidslagen). Maximum overtime is 48 hours over 4 weeks or 200 hours per calendar year. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements, not statute. Many agreements provide overtime at 150-200% of normal pay. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Jordan mandates 48 hours while Sweden mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Sweden's perspective: Sweden vs Jordan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Jordan or Sweden?
In Jordan, the minimum wage is JD1.67/hr ($2.36 USD). In Sweden, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Jordan compared to Sweden?
The average gross salary in Jordan is JD613/mo ($864.60 USD), compared to kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD) in Sweden. In USD terms, workers in Jordan earn approximately 399% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Jordan and Sweden is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Sweden earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Jordan.
How do work hours compare between Jordan and Sweden?
Jordan has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sweden. Workers in Jordan work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sweden 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 Jordan and Sweden?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Sweden has the higher GDP per capita at $71,845, which is 6.6x that of Jordan at $10,821. From Jordan'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.