Key Facts: Albania vs Syria Wages
- Albania Minimum Wage
- L287/hr ($3.51 USD)
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Albania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L83,000 /mo ($1,015.04 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Finance and Economy / Council of Ministers of Albania (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)
Albania
Syria
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Albania is 79% lower than in Syria in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,015/mo in Albania versus $120/mo in Syria, a 8.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Albania is 5.6x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Albania has higher GDP per capita ($26,702 vs $4,772). Albania's unemployment rate is 10.9% compared to Syria's 13.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Albania | Syria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | L287 $3.51 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | L50,000 $611.47 | £S1,850 $16.46 |
| Minimum wage /yr | L600,000 $7,337.65 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | L83,000 /mo $1,015.04 | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | L66,000 /mo $807.14 | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 |
| Median individual income /yr | L480,000 /yr $5,870.12 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Albania is higher.
Work Week
- Albania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Overtime premium minimum 25% above standard rate. Weekend/holiday work premium minimum 50%. Maximum 200 hours overtime per year. Cannot exceed 48 hours in any single week except exceptional circumstances.
- Syria
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 17 of 2010 set 48 hours/week as the standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Enforcement is impossible across most of the country due to conflict. Government employees in Damascus and other major cities are the primary remaining formal workforce.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Albania earns 369% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria. Standard work weeks differ: Albania mandates 40 hours while Syria mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Albania are $140 vs $790 in Syria.
See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs Albania
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Albania or Syria?
In Albania, the minimum wage is L287/hr ($3.51 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 369% 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 Albania may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Albania compared to Syria?
The average gross salary in Albania is L83,000/mo ($1,015.04 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Albania earn approximately 745% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Albania and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Albania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.
How do work hours compare between Albania and Syria?
Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Albania. Workers in Albania work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Albania 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 Albania and Syria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Albania has the higher GDP per capita at $26,702, which is 5.6x that of Syria at $4,772. From Albania'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.