Key Facts: Sweden vs Djibouti Wages
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Djibouti Minimum Wage
- Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Djibouti Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Fdj120,000 /mo ($675.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Ministère du Travail de Djibouti (2026-02-25)
Sweden
Djibouti
Updated 2026-02-25
Sweden has no statutory minimum wage, while Djibouti sets a floor of $197/mo. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,318/mo in Sweden versus $675/mo in Djibouti, a 6.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 9.2x that of Djibouti, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Sweden has higher GDP per capita ($71,845 vs $7,810). Sweden's unemployment rate is 8.7% compared to Djibouti's 26.0%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sweden | Djibouti |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | None | Fdj1,400 $7.88 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | Fdj35,000 $196.94 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 | Fdj120,000 /mo $675.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Djibouti
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hours/week standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Arabic and French are official languages. The labour force is supplemented by a large number of migrant workers from Ethiopia and Somalia.
See this comparison from Djibouti's perspective: Djibouti vs Sweden
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sweden or Djibouti?
In Sweden, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Djibouti, it is Fdj35,000/mo ($196.94 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Sweden compared to Djibouti?
The average gross salary in Sweden is kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD), compared to Fdj120,000/mo ($675.22 USD) in Djibouti. In USD terms, workers in Sweden earn approximately 539% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sweden and Djibouti 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 Djibouti.
How do work hours compare between Sweden and Djibouti?
Both Sweden and Djibouti 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 Djibouti?
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 9.2x that of Djibouti at $7,810. 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.