Key Facts: Sweden vs Gabon Wages
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Gabon Minimum Wage
- FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Gabon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA555,000 /mo ($996.41 USD)
- Data Sources
- Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24), Ministry of Labour, Employment and Vocational Training / Labour Code of Gabon (2026-02-25)
Sweden
Gabon
Updated 2026-02-25
Sweden has no statutory minimum wage, while Gabon sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,318/mo in Sweden versus $996/mo in Gabon, a 4.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 3.3x that of Gabon, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Sweden has higher GDP per capita ($71,845 vs $21,510). Sweden's unemployment rate is 8.7% compared to Gabon's 20.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sweden | Gabon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | FCFA865.38 $1.55 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | FCFA150,000 $269.30 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | FCFA1,800,000 $3,231.60 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 | FCFA555,000 /mo $996.41 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 | FCFA430,000 /mo $771.99 |
| Median individual income /yr | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 | FCFA2,400,000 /yr $4,308.80 |
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.
- Gabon
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 60 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Overtime capped at 20 hours/week, permitted only for exceptional, urgent, or seasonal work. Weekday overtime at 125% of normal rate; Sundays/public holidays at 150-200%. Employees entitled to 10 consecutive hours of daily rest and one full day of weekly rest (usually Sunday). Governed by the Labour Code (Code du Travail).
See this comparison from Gabon's perspective: Gabon vs Sweden
Compare Sweden with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sweden or Gabon?
In Sweden, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Gabon, it is FCFA865.38/hr ($1.55 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Sweden compared to Gabon?
The average gross salary in Sweden is kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD), compared to FCFA555,000/mo ($996.41 USD) in Gabon. In USD terms, workers in Sweden earn approximately 333% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sweden and Gabon 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 Gabon.
How do work hours compare between Sweden and Gabon?
Both Sweden and Gabon 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 Gabon?
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 3.3x that of Gabon at $21,510. 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.