Key Facts: Belize vs Syria Wages
- Belize Minimum Wage
- BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD)
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Belize Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- BZ$1,800 /mo ($900 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development — Belize (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)
Belize
Syria
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Belize is roughly 7 times lower than in Syria in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $900/mo in Belize versus $120/mo in Syria, a 7.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Belize is 3.0x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Belize has higher GDP per capita ($14,347 vs $4,772). Belize's unemployment rate is 8.9% compared to Syria's 13.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Belize | Syria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | BZ$5 $2.50 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | BZ$975 $487.50 | £S1,850 $16.46 |
| Minimum wage /yr | BZ$11,700 $5,850 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | BZ$1,800 /mo $900 | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | BZ$1,530 /mo $765 | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 |
| Median individual income /yr | BZ$12,000 /yr $6,000 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Belize is higher.
Work Week
- Belize
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours (9 hours/day, 5 days). All workers are entitled to at least 1 day of rest per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the regular rate for hours beyond 45/week. Work on Sundays and public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Governed by the Labour Act.
- 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 Belize earns 558% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria. Standard work weeks differ: Belize mandates 45 hours while Syria mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Belize are $113 vs $790 in Syria.
See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs Belize
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Belize or Syria?
In Belize, the minimum wage is BZ$5/hr ($2.50 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 558% 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 Belize may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Belize compared to Syria?
The average gross salary in Belize is BZ$1,800/mo ($900 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Belize earn approximately 649% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Belize and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Belize earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.
How do work hours compare between Belize and Syria?
Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in Belize. Workers in Belize work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Belize 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 Belize and Syria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Belize has the higher GDP per capita at $14,347, which is 3.0x that of Syria at $4,772. From Belize'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.