Key Facts: Sweden vs Curaçao Wages
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Curaçao Minimum Wage
- ƒ11.72/hr ($6.55 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Curaçao Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ƒ3,218 /mo ($1,797.77 USD)
- Data Sources
- Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24), WageIndicator Foundation / SER Curacao (2026-05-04)
Sweden
Curaçao
Updated 2026-05-04
Sweden has no statutory minimum wage, while Curaçao sets a floor of $7/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,318/mo in Sweden versus $1,798/mo in Curaçao, a 2.4:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sweden | Curaçao |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | ƒ11.72 $6.55 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | ƒ2,031.47 $1,134.90 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | ƒ24,377.60 $13,618.77 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 | ƒ3,218 /mo $1,797.77 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 | ƒ27,456 /yr $15,338.55 |
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.
- Curaçao
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Governed by the Ministry of Social Development, Labour, and Welfare, with advisory input from the Sociaal Economische Raad (SER) Curacao.
See this comparison from Curaçao's perspective: Curaçao vs Sweden
Compare Sweden with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sweden or Curaçao?
In Sweden, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Curaçao, it is ƒ11.72/hr ($6.55 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Sweden compared to Curaçao?
The average gross salary in Sweden is kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD), compared to ƒ3,218/mo ($1,797.77 USD) in Curaçao. In USD terms, workers in Sweden earn approximately 140% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sweden and Curaçao 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 Curaçao.
How do work hours compare between Sweden and Curaçao?
Both Sweden and Curaçao 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.