Key Facts: Bahrain vs Suriname Wages
- Bahrain Minimum Wage
- BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD)
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Bahrain Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BD850 /mo ($2,260.64 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour — Kingdom of Bahrain (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25)
Bahrain
Suriname
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Bahrain is roughly 13 times lower than in Suriname in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,261/mo in Bahrain versus $150/mo in Suriname, a 15.1:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bahrain is 3.1x that of Suriname, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bahrain has higher GDP per capita ($66,941 vs $21,801). Bahrain's unemployment rate is 1.1% compared to Suriname's 7.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bahrain | Suriname |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BD1.73 $4.60 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | BD300 $797.87 | Sr$2,166 $59.02 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BD3,600 $9,574.47 | Sr$25,992 $708.23 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BD850 /mo $2,260.64 | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BD840 /mo $2,234.04 | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 |
| Median individual income /yr | BD4,800 /yr $12,765.96 | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bahrain is higher.
Work Week
- Bahrain
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, Muslim workers' hours are reduced to 6 hours/day (36 hours/week). Overtime paid at 125% of normal rate; Friday work at 150%.
- Suriname
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Suriname Labour Act sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours. Overtime is compensated at a minimum of 1.5x the regular wage. Sunday and public holiday work is typically at 2x.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Bahrain earns 1183% less per hour in USD terms than one in Suriname. Standard work weeks differ: Bahrain mandates 48 hours while Suriname mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bahrain are $221 vs $2,361 in Suriname.
See this comparison from Suriname's perspective: Suriname vs Bahrain
Compare Bahrain with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bahrain or Suriname?
In Bahrain, the minimum wage is BD1.73/hr ($4.60 USD). In Suriname, it is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 1183% 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 Bahrain may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bahrain compared to Suriname?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is BD850/mo ($2,260.64 USD), compared to Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD) in Suriname. In USD terms, workers in Bahrain earn approximately 1408% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bahrain and Suriname is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bahrain earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Suriname.
How do work hours compare between Bahrain and Suriname?
Bahrain has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Suriname. Workers in Bahrain work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Suriname 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 Bahrain and Suriname?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bahrain has the higher GDP per capita at $66,941, which is 3.1x that of Suriname at $21,801. From Bahrain'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.