Key Facts: Mongolia vs Sweden Wages
- Mongolia Minimum Wage
- ₮4,714/hr ($1.31 USD)
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Mongolia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₮2,000,000 /mo ($555.71 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Protection — Mongolia (2026-02-25), Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24)
Mongolia
Sweden
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Sweden, which has no statutory minimum wage, Mongolia mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $556/mo in Mongolia versus $4,318/mo in Sweden, a 7.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 3.8x that of Mongolia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Mongolia has lower GDP per capita ($19,145 vs $71,845). Mongolia's unemployment rate is 5.2% compared to Sweden's 8.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mongolia | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₮4,714 $1.31 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₮792,000 $220.06 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₮9,504,000 $2,640.73 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₮2,000,000 /mo $555.71 | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₮1,700,000 /mo $472.35 | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₮12,000,000 /yr $3,334.26 | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mongolia is higher.
Work Week
- Mongolia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 56 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day). The Labour Law sets a maximum of 56 hours/week including overtime. Maximum daily overtime is 4 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate. Work on public holidays is compensated at 2x the regular rate. The government sector typically works 40 hours/week (Monday-Friday).
- 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 Mongolia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mongolia or Sweden?
In Mongolia, the minimum wage is ₮4,714/hr ($1.31 USD). In Sweden, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Mongolia compared to Sweden?
The average gross salary in Mongolia is ₮2,000,000/mo ($555.71 USD), compared to kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD) in Sweden. In USD terms, workers in Mongolia earn approximately 677% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mongolia 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 Mongolia.
How do work hours compare between Mongolia and Sweden?
Both Mongolia 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 Mongolia 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 3.8x that of Mongolia at $19,145. From Mongolia'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.