Key Facts: Sweden vs Mozambique Wages
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Mozambique Minimum Wage
- MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
- Data Sources
- Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24), Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25)
Sweden
Mozambique
Updated 2026-02-25
Sweden has no statutory minimum wage, while Mozambique sets a floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,318/mo in Sweden versus $282/mo in Mozambique, a 15.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 42.1x that of Mozambique, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Sweden has higher GDP per capita ($71,845 vs $1,705). Sweden's unemployment rate is 8.7% compared to Mozambique's 6.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sweden | Mozambique |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | MT38.60 $0.60 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | MT6,688 $104.75 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | MT80,256 $1,256.95 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 | MT18,000 /mo $281.91 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 | MT15,500 /mo $242.76 |
| Median individual income /yr | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 | MT60,000 /yr $939.70 |
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.
- Mozambique
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week and 8 hours per day. Overtime is limited to 96 hours per quarter and 200 hours per year. Overtime compensated at 150% for regular days and 200% for holidays and rest days.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Sweden mandates 40 hours while Mozambique mandates 48 hours.
See this comparison from Mozambique's perspective: Mozambique vs Sweden
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sweden or Mozambique?
In Sweden, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Mozambique, it is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Sweden compared to Mozambique?
The average gross salary in Sweden is kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD), compared to MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD) in Mozambique. In USD terms, workers in Sweden earn approximately 1432% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sweden and Mozambique 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 Mozambique.
How do work hours compare between Sweden and Mozambique?
Mozambique has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sweden. Workers in Sweden work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Sweden working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Sweden and Mozambique?
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 42.1x that of Mozambique at $1,705. 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.