Key Facts: Sweden vs Uzbekistan Wages
- Sweden Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Uzbekistan Minimum Wage
- сўм6,838/hr ($0.56 USD)
- Sweden Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr40,000 /mo ($4,317.74 USD)
- Uzbekistan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- сўм5,357,000 /mo ($439.03 USD)
- Data Sources
- Medlingsinstitutet (Swedish National Mediation Office) (2026-02-24), Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan (2026-02-25)
Sweden
Uzbekistan
Updated 2026-02-25
Sweden has no statutory minimum wage, while Uzbekistan sets a floor of $1/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $4,318/mo in Sweden versus $439/mo in Uzbekistan, a 9.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Sweden is 6.0x that of Uzbekistan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Sweden has higher GDP per capita ($71,845 vs $11,879). Sweden's unemployment rate is 8.7% compared to Uzbekistan's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Sweden | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | None | сўм6,838 $0.56 |
| Minimum wage /mo | None | сўм1,155,000 $94.66 |
| Minimum wage /yr | None | сўм13,860,000 $1,135.88 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | kr40,000 /mo $4,317.74 | сўм5,357,000 /mo $439.03 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | kr30,000 /mo $3,238.31 | сўм4,714,000 /mo $386.33 |
| Median individual income /yr | kr367,000 /yr $39,615.29 | сўм30,000,000 /yr $2,458.61 |
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.
- Uzbekistan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours. Reduced hours (36 hrs) for workers aged 16-18, hazardous conditions, and night work. Overtime limited to 4 hours per day and 120 hours per year. Overtime is compensated at double rate. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%. Holiday work at double rate.
See this comparison from Uzbekistan's perspective: Uzbekistan vs Sweden
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Sweden or Uzbekistan?
In Sweden, the minimum wage is no statutory minimum wage. In Uzbekistan, it is сўм6,838/hr ($0.56 USD).
How much more does the average worker earn in Sweden compared to Uzbekistan?
The average gross salary in Sweden is kr40,000/mo ($4,317.74 USD), compared to сўм5,357,000/mo ($439.03 USD) in Uzbekistan. In USD terms, workers in Sweden earn approximately 883% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Sweden and Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan.
How do work hours compare between Sweden and Uzbekistan?
Both Sweden and Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
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 6.0x that of Uzbekistan at $11,879. 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.