Key Facts: Oman vs Sweden Wages
- Oman Minimum Wage
- OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD)
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Oman Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- OMR850 /mo ($2,207.79 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Sultanate of Oman (2026-02-25), Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24)
Oman
Sweden
Updated 2026-02-25
Unlike Sweden, which has no statutory minimum wage, Oman mandates a wage floor of $5/hr. Average salaries are lower in Oman at $2,208/mo compared to $4,318/mo in Sweden. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 1.7x that of Oman, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Oman has lower GDP per capita ($41,740 vs $71,845). Oman's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to Sweden's 8.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oman | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | OMR1.88 $4.88 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | OMR325 $844.16 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | OMR3,900 $10,129.87 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | OMR850 /mo $2,207.79 | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | OMR820 /mo $2,129.87 | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 |
| Median individual income /yr | OMR5,400 /yr $14,025.97 | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Oman is higher.
Work Week
- Oman
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 9 hours/day or 45 hours/week. During Ramadan, Muslim workers' hours are reduced to 6 hours/day or 30 hours/week. Overtime paid at 125% for regular days and 150% for holidays/weekends.
- 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: Oman mandates 45 hours while Sweden mandates 40 hours.
See this comparison from Sweden's perspective: Sweden vs Oman
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Oman or Sweden?
In Oman, the minimum wage is OMR1.88/hr ($4.88 USD). In Sweden, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Oman compared to Sweden?
The average gross salary in Oman is OMR850/mo ($2,207.79 USD), compared to kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD) in Sweden. In USD terms, workers in Oman earn approximately 96% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Oman 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 Oman.
How do work hours compare between Oman and Sweden?
Oman has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sweden. Workers in Oman work 45 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 Oman 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 1.7x that of Oman at $41,740. From Oman'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.