Key Facts: Sweden vs Slovenia Wages
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Slovenia Minimum Wage
- €8.55/hr ($9.96 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Slovenia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,300 /mo ($2,678.47 USD)
- Data Sources
- Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24), Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)
Sweden
Slovenia
Updated 2026-05-04
Sweden has no statutory minimum wage, while Slovenia sets a floor of $10/hr. Average salaries are higher in Sweden at $4,318/mo compared to $2,678/mo in Slovenia. Slovenia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.2% compared to 8.7%.
Sweden has higher GDP per capita ($71,845 vs $57,186). Sweden's unemployment rate is 8.7% compared to Slovenia's 3.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sweden | Slovenia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | €8.55 $9.96 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | €1,481.88 $1,725.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | €17,782.56 $20,708.70 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 | €2,300 /mo $2,678.47 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 | €1,580 /mo $1,839.99 |
| Median individual income /yr | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 | €16,800 /yr $19,564.46 |
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.
- Slovenia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (minimum 36 hours for full-time). Overtime limited to 8 hours/week and 170 hours/year (extendable to 230 by consent). Overtime premium at least 30%.
See this comparison from Slovenia's perspective: Slovenia vs Sweden
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sweden or Slovenia?
In Sweden, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Slovenia, it is €8.55/hr ($9.96 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Sweden compared to Slovenia?
The average gross salary in Sweden is kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD), compared to €2,300/mo ($2,678.47 USD) in Slovenia. In USD terms, workers in Sweden earn approximately 61% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sweden and Slovenia 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 Slovenia.
How do work hours compare between Sweden and Slovenia?
Both Sweden and Slovenia 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 Slovenia?
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 1.3x that of Slovenia at $57,186. 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.