Key Facts: Sweden vs Mali Wages
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Mali Minimum Wage
- CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Mali Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA120,000 /mo ($215.44 USD)
- Data Sources
- Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24), Mali Ministry of Labour and Civil Service / ILO (2026-02-25)
Sweden
Mali
Updated 2026-02-25
Sweden has no statutory minimum wage, while Mali sets a floor of $0/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,318/mo in Sweden versus $215/mo in Mali, a 20.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 21.7x that of Mali, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Sweden has higher GDP per capita ($71,845 vs $3,315). Sweden's unemployment rate is 8.7% compared to Mali's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sweden | Mali |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | CFA192.30 $0.35 |
| Minimum wage /day | None | CFA1,538 $2.76 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | CFA40,000 $71.81 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | CFA480,000 $861.76 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 | CFA120,000 /mo $215.44 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 | CFA360,000 /yr $646.32 |
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.
- Mali
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.15x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 92-020 of 23 September 1992, amended) sets standard hours at 40 per week (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime rates: 115% for day hours; 130% for hours between 21:00 and 05:00 on weekdays; 150% for Sunday daytime; 200% for night hours on Sundays/holidays. Workers are entitled to 2.5 days of paid leave per month worked (30 days/year). Friday prayers (Jumu'ah) are accommodated — Mali is ~90% Muslim.
See this comparison from Mali's perspective: Mali vs Sweden
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sweden or Mali?
In Sweden, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Mali, it is CFA192.30/hr ($0.35 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Sweden compared to Mali?
The average gross salary in Sweden is kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD), compared to CFA120,000/mo ($215.44 USD) in Mali. In USD terms, workers in Sweden earn approximately 1904% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sweden and Mali 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 Mali.
How do work hours compare between Sweden and Mali?
Both Sweden and Mali 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 Mali?
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 21.7x that of Mali at $3,315. 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.