Key Facts: Algeria vs Syria Wages
- Algeria Minimum Wage
- DZD138.46/hr ($1.02 USD)
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Algeria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- DZD55,000 /mo ($405.90 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Data Sources
- Council of Ministers / Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Sécurité Sociale — Algeria (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)
Algeria
Syria
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Algeria is roughly 16 times lower than in Syria in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $406/mo in Algeria versus $120/mo in Syria, a 3.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Algeria is 3.7x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Algeria has higher GDP per capita ($17,621 vs $4,772). Algeria's unemployment rate is 11.6% compared to Syria's 13.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Algeria | Syria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | DZD138.46 $1.02 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | DZD24,000 $177.12 | £S1,850 $16.46 |
| Minimum wage /yr | DZD288,000 $2,125.46 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | DZD55,000 /mo $405.90 | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | DZD43,000 /mo $317.34 | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 |
| Median individual income /yr | DZD300,000 /yr $2,214.02 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Algeria is higher.
Work Week
- Algeria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law (Law 90-11) sets standard working hours at 40 per week for most sectors and 44 hours for certain sectors. Weekly rest is Friday and Saturday. Overtime paid at 150% of normal rate for first 4 hours and 200% for subsequent hours.
- 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 Algeria earns 1511% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria. Standard work weeks differ: Algeria mandates 40 hours while Syria mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Algeria are $41 vs $790 in Syria.
See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs Algeria
Compare Algeria with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Algeria or Syria?
In Algeria, the minimum wage is DZD138.46/hr ($1.02 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 1511% 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 Algeria may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Algeria compared to Syria?
The average gross salary in Algeria is DZD55,000/mo ($405.90 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Algeria earn approximately 238% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Algeria and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Algeria earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.
How do work hours compare between Algeria and Syria?
Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Algeria. Workers in Algeria work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Algeria 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 Algeria and Syria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Algeria has the higher GDP per capita at $17,621, which is 3.7x that of Syria at $4,772. From Algeria'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.