Key Facts: Luxembourg vs Sweden Wages
- Luxembourg Minimum Wage
- €15.63/hr ($17.79 USD)
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Luxembourg Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €5,600 /mo ($6,374.50 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,103.66 USD)
- Data Sources
- Inspection du Travail et des Mines (ITM); 2026 figures verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04), Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24)
Luxembourg
Sweden
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike Sweden, which has no statutory minimum wage, Luxembourg mandates a wage floor of $18/hr. Average salaries are higher in Luxembourg at $6,375/mo compared to $4,104/mo in Sweden. GDP per capita (PPP) in Luxembourg is 2.2x that of Sweden, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Luxembourg has higher GDP per capita ($155,941 vs $71,845). Luxembourg's unemployment rate is 6.3% compared to Sweden's 8.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Luxembourg | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €15.63 $17.79 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | €2,703.74 $3,077.68 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | €32,444.88 $36,932.13 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €5,600 /mo $6,374.50 | kr40,000 /mo $4,103.66 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €4,000 /mo $4,553.22 | kr30,000 /mo $3,077.74 |
| Median individual income /yr | €48,000 /yr $54,638.59 | kr367,000 /yr $37,651.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Luxembourg is higher.
Work Week
- Luxembourg
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Labour Code). Daily maximum is 8 hours (extendable to 10 hours). Overtime is compensated at 140% of normal rate or with equivalent compensatory time off (1.5 hours for each overtime hour). Maximum 2 hours overtime per day. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
- 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.
See this comparison from Sweden's perspective: Sweden vs Luxembourg
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Luxembourg or Sweden?
In Luxembourg, the minimum wage is €15.63/hr ($17.79 USD). In Sweden, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much more does the average worker earn in Luxembourg compared to Sweden?
The average gross salary in Luxembourg is €5,600/mo ($6,374.50 USD), compared to kr40,000/mo ($4,103.66 USD) in Sweden. In USD terms, workers in Luxembourg earn approximately 55% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Luxembourg and Sweden is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Luxembourg earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sweden.
How do work hours compare between Luxembourg and Sweden?
Both Luxembourg and Sweden mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Luxembourg and Sweden?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Luxembourg has the higher GDP per capita at $155,941, which is 2.2x that of Sweden at $71,845. From Luxembourg'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.