Key Facts: Paraguay vs Eswatini Wages
- Paraguay Minimum Wage
- ₲14,574/hr ($1.94 USD)
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Paraguay Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₲4,500,000 /mo ($598.40 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social (MTESS); 2024 figure corrected via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff 2024-07-01) (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25)
Paraguay
Eswatini
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Paraguay is roughly 81 times lower than in Eswatini in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Paraguay at $598/mo compared to $375/mo in Eswatini. GDP per capita (PPP) in Paraguay is 1.6x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Paraguay has higher GDP per capita ($18,524 vs $11,799). Paraguay's unemployment rate is 4.8% compared to Eswatini's 34.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Paraguay | Eswatini |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₲14,574 $1.94 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | ₲93,277 $12.40 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₲2,798,309 $372.12 | L2,500 $156.15 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₲33,579,708 $4,465.39 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₲4,500,000 /mo $598.40 | L6,000 /mo $374.77 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₲4,050,000 /mo $538.56 | L5,000 /mo $312.30 |
| Median individual income /yr | ₲26,400,000 /yr $3,510.64 | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Paraguay is higher.
Work Week
- Paraguay
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Código del Trabajo) sets maximum at 48 hours/week for daytime work, 42 hours for night work, and 45 for mixed shifts. Overtime: 50% surcharge for daytime, 100% for night/holiday overtime. Weekly rest on Sunday is mandatory.
- Eswatini
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours per week including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Sunday and public holidays compensated at 2x. Employees are entitled to 14 days paid annual leave.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Paraguay earns 7957% less per hour in USD terms than one in Eswatini.
See this comparison from Eswatini's perspective: Eswatini vs Paraguay
Compare Paraguay with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Paraguay or Eswatini?
In Paraguay, the minimum wage is ₲14,574/hr ($1.94 USD). In Eswatini, it is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 7957% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Paraguay may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Paraguay compared to Eswatini?
The average gross salary in Paraguay is ₲4,500,000/mo ($598.40 USD), compared to L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD) in Eswatini. In USD terms, workers in Paraguay earn approximately 60% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Paraguay and Eswatini is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Paraguay earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Eswatini.
How do work hours compare between Paraguay and Eswatini?
Both Paraguay and Eswatini mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Paraguay and Eswatini?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Paraguay has the higher GDP per capita at $18,524, which is 1.6x that of Eswatini at $11,799. From Paraguay'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.