Key Facts: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Syria Wages
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Minimum Wage
- KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD)
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KM1,870 /mo ($1,126.51 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Data Sources
- Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHAS) (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Syria
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 79% lower than in Syria in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,127/mo in Bosnia and Herzegovina versus $120/mo in Syria, a 9.4:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 5.2x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has higher GDP per capita ($25,043 vs $4,772). Bosnia and Herzegovina's unemployment rate is 11.0% compared to Syria's 13.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Syria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | KM5.75 $3.46 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | KM1,000 $602.41 | £S1,850 $16.46 |
| Minimum wage /yr | KM12,000 $7,228.92 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | KM1,870 /mo $1,126.51 | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | KM1,314 /mo $791.57 | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 |
| Median individual income /yr | KM10,800 /yr $6,506.02 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Bosnia and Herzegovina is higher.
Work Week
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week in FBiH and 4 hours per day in RS. Overtime premium at least 30%. Night work premium at least 30%. Weekend work premium at least 20%. Holiday work premium at least 50%.
- 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina earns 375% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria. Standard work weeks differ: Bosnia and Herzegovina mandates 40 hours while Syria mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Bosnia and Herzegovina are $139 vs $790 in Syria.
See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Compare Bosnia and Herzegovina with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Bosnia and Herzegovina or Syria?
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the minimum wage is KM5.75/hr ($3.46 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 375% 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Bosnia and Herzegovina compared to Syria?
The average gross salary in Bosnia and Herzegovina is KM1,870/mo ($1,126.51 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina earn approximately 838% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.
How do work hours compare between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Syria?
Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina and Syria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bosnia and Herzegovina has the higher GDP per capita at $25,043, which is 5.2x that of Syria at $4,772. From Bosnia and Herzegovina'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.