Key Facts: Turkey vs Eswatini Wages
- Turkey Minimum Wage
- ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD)
- Eswatini Minimum Wage
- L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD)
- Turkey Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₺25,482 /mo ($555.24 USD)
- Eswatini Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L6,000 /mo ($374.77 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı); 2026 figure announced by Minister Vedat Işıkhan, verified via Daily Sabah (dailysabah.com) (2026-05-04), ILO / Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Eswatini) / Wages Regulation Order (2026-02-25)
Turkey
Eswatini
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Turkey is roughly 43 times lower than in Eswatini in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Turkey at $555/mo compared to $375/mo in Eswatini. GDP per capita (PPP) in Turkey is 3.9x that of Eswatini, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Turkey has higher GDP per capita ($45,639 vs $11,799). Turkey's unemployment rate is 8.5% compared to Eswatini's 34.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkey | Eswatini |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₺164.94 $3.59 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₺33,030 $719.70 | L2,500 $156.15 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₺396,360 $8,636.42 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₺25,482 /mo $555.24 | L6,000 /mo $374.77 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₺20,021 /mo $436.24 | L5,000 /mo $312.30 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | L24,000 /yr $1,499.06 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Turkey is higher.
Work Week
- Turkey
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours under the Labour Act (No. 4857). Can be distributed unevenly across days of the week, but no more than 11 hours/day. Overtime is limited to 270 hours/year. Overtime premium is 50%; weekend/holiday work is at 100% premium if the worker does not get a substitute rest day.
- Eswatini
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act sets standard at 48 hours/week (8 hrs/day, 6 days). Maximum 54 hours per week including overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Sunday and public holidays compensated at 2x. Employees are entitled to 14 days paid annual leave.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Turkey earns 4245% less per hour in USD terms than one in Eswatini. Standard work weeks differ: Turkey mandates 45 hours while Eswatini mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Turkey are $162 vs $7,495 in Eswatini.
See this comparison from Eswatini's perspective: Eswatini vs Turkey
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkey or Eswatini?
In Turkey, the minimum wage is ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD). In Eswatini, it is L2,500/mo ($156.15 USD). Eswatini has the higher rate by 4245% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Turkey may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Turkey compared to Eswatini?
The average gross salary in Turkey is ₺25,482/mo ($555.24 USD), compared to L6,000/mo ($374.77 USD) in Eswatini. In USD terms, workers in Turkey earn approximately 48% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkey and Eswatini is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkey earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Eswatini.
How do work hours compare between Turkey and Eswatini?
Eswatini has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Turkey. Workers in Turkey work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Turkey 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 Turkey and Eswatini?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Turkey has the higher GDP per capita at $45,639, which is 3.9x that of Eswatini at $11,799. From Turkey'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.