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Key Facts: Sweden vs Cameroon Wages

Sweden Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Cameroon Minimum Wage
FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD)
Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
Cameroon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
FCFA200,000 /mo ($359.07 USD)
Data Sources
Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24), Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale — Cameroon (2026-02-25)

Sweden flag Sweden Cameroon flag Cameroon

Updated 2026-02-25

Sweden flag Sweden

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr40,000 /mo

Cameroon flag Cameroon

Minimum Wage

FCFA254 /hr

$0.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FCFA200,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +1102% Sweden vs Cameroon

Sweden has no statutory minimum wage, while Cameroon sets a floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,318/mo in Sweden versus $359/mo in Cameroon, a 12.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 12.9x that of Cameroon, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Sweden has higher GDP per capita ($71,845 vs $5,589). Sweden's unemployment rate is 8.7% compared to Cameroon's 3.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Sweden and Cameroon
Metric Sweden Cameroon
Minimum wage /hr None FCFA254 $0.46
Minimum wage /mo None FCFA43,969 $78.94
Minimum wage /yr None FCFA527,628 $947.27
Avg. gross salary /mo kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 FCFA200,000 /mo $359.07
Avg. net salary /mo kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 FCFA170,000 /mo $305.21
Median individual income /yr kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 FCFA600,000 /yr $1,077.20

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Sweden is higher.

Work 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.

Cameroon

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.2x pay

Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week for non-agricultural workers and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 120% for first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 140% for subsequent hours. Night work and holiday work have higher multipliers.

See this comparison from Cameroon's perspective: Cameroon vs Sweden

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Sweden or Cameroon?

In Sweden, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Cameroon, it is FCFA254/hr ($0.46 USD).

How much more does the average worker earn in Sweden compared to Cameroon?

The average gross salary in Sweden is kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD), compared to FCFA200,000/mo ($359.07 USD) in Cameroon. In USD terms, workers in Sweden earn approximately 1102% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sweden and Cameroon 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 Cameroon.

How do work hours compare between Sweden and Cameroon?

Both Sweden and Cameroon 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 Sweden and Cameroon?

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 12.9x that of Cameroon at $5,589. From Sweden'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.