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Key Facts: Sweden vs Guyana Wages

Sweden Minimum Wage
No statutory minimum wage
Guyana Minimum Wage
G$347/hr ($1.66 USD)
Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
Guyana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
G$100,000 /mo ($477.90 USD)
Data Sources
Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24), Ministry of Labour — Guyana (2026-02-25)

Sweden flag Sweden Guyana flag Guyana

Updated 2026-02-25

Sweden flag Sweden

No statutory minimum wage

Avg. Gross Salary

kr40,000 /mo

Guyana flag Guyana

Minimum Wage

G$347 /hr

$1.66 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

G$100,000 /mo

Avg. salary: +803% Sweden vs Guyana

Sweden has no statutory minimum wage, while Guyana sets a floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,318/mo in Sweden versus $478/mo in Guyana, a 9.0:1 ratio. Sweden has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 8.7% compared to 12.0%.

Sweden has lower GDP per capita ($71,845 vs $80,155). Sweden's unemployment rate is 8.7% compared to Guyana's 12.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Sweden and Guyana
Metric Sweden Guyana
Minimum wage /hr None G$347 $1.66
Minimum wage /mo None G$60,147 $287.44
Avg. gross salary /mo kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 G$100,000 /mo $477.90
Avg. net salary /mo kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 G$80,000 /mo $382.32
Median individual income /yr kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 G$600,000 /yr $2,867.38

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.

Guyana

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 40 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days/week). Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate on weekdays and 2x on public holidays. Governed by the Labour Act. Some sectors (sugar, mining) may have different arrangements through collective agreements.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Sweden or Guyana?

In Sweden, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Guyana, it is G$347/hr ($1.66 USD).

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

The average gross salary in Sweden is kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD), compared to G$100,000/mo ($477.90 USD) in Guyana. In USD terms, workers in Sweden earn approximately 803% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sweden and Guyana 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 Guyana.

How do work hours compare between Sweden and Guyana?

Both Sweden and Guyana 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 Guyana?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Guyana has the higher GDP per capita at $80,155, which is 1.1x that of Sweden at $71,845. From Sweden's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.