Key Facts: Mozambique vs Sweden Wages
- Mozambique Minimum Wage
- MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25), Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24)
Mozambique
Sweden
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Sweden, which has no statutory minimum wage, Mozambique mandates a wage floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $282/mo in Mozambique versus $4,318/mo in Sweden, a 15.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 42.1x that of Mozambique, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Mozambique has lower GDP per capita ($1,705 vs $71,845). Mozambique's unemployment rate is 6.6% compared to Sweden's 8.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mozambique | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | MT38.60 $0.60 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | MT6,688 $104.75 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | MT80,256 $1,256.95 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MT18,000 /mo $281.91 | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MT15,500 /mo $242.76 | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 |
| Median individual income /yr | MT60,000 /yr $939.70 | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mozambique is higher.
Work Week
- Mozambique
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week and 8 hours per day. Overtime is limited to 96 hours per quarter and 200 hours per year. Overtime compensated at 150% for regular days and 200% for holidays and rest days.
- 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: Mozambique mandates 48 hours while Sweden mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Sweden's perspective: Sweden vs Mozambique
Compare Mozambique with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mozambique or Sweden?
In Mozambique, the minimum wage is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD). In Sweden, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Mozambique compared to Sweden?
The average gross salary in Mozambique is MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD), compared to kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD) in Sweden. In USD terms, workers in Mozambique earn approximately 1432% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mozambique 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 Mozambique.
How do work hours compare between Mozambique and Sweden?
Mozambique has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sweden. Workers in Mozambique 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 Mozambique 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 42.1x that of Mozambique at $1,705. From Mozambique'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.