Laos Sweden

Updated 2026-02-25

Laos

Minimum Wage

₭10,417 /hr

$0.48 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

₭4,000,000 /mo

Sweden

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr40,000 /mo

Avg. salary: -96% Laos vs Sweden

Unlike Sweden, which has no statutory minimum wage, Laos mandates a wage floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $186/mo in Laos versus $4,318/mo in Sweden, a 23.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 7.3x that of Laos, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Laos has lower GDP per capita ($9,776 vs $71,845). Laos' unemployment rate is 1.2% compared to Sweden's 8.7%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Laos and Sweden
Metric	Laos	Sweden	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	₭10,417 $0.48	None	—
Minimum wage /mo	₭2,500,000 $116.12	None	—
Avg. gross salary /mo	₭4,000,000 /mo $185.79	kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74	-95.7%
Avg. net salary /mo	₭3,600,000 /mo $167.21	kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31	-94.8%
Median individual income /yr	₭18,000,000 /yr $836.04	kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29	-97.9%

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Laos is higher.

Work Week

Laos: 48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week). Workers in dangerous conditions are limited to 6 hours/day or 36 hours/week. Overtime is limited to 45 hours/month or 3 hours/day. Overtime compensation: 1.5x regular rate on normal days, 2.5x on weekly rest days during daytime, 3x on rest days at night. Governed by the Labour Law.
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: Laos mandates 48 hours while Sweden mandates 40 hours.

See this comparison from Sweden's perspective: Sweden vs Laos

Compare Laos with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Laos or Sweden?

In Laos, the minimum wage is ₭10,417/hr ($0.48 USD). In Sweden, it is no statutory minimum wage.

How much less does the average worker earn in Laos compared to Sweden?

The average gross salary in Laos is ₭4,000,000/mo ($185.79 USD), compared to kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD) in Sweden. In USD terms, workers in Laos earn approximately 2224% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Laos 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 Laos.

How do work hours compare between Laos and Sweden?

Laos has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sweden. Workers in Laos 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 Laos 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 7.3x that of Laos at $9,776. From Laos' 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.