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Key Facts: Botswana vs Syria Wages

Botswana Minimum Wage
P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD)
Syria Minimum Wage
£S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
Botswana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
P7,500 /mo ($555.14 USD)
Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
£S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)

Botswana flag Botswana Syria flag Syria

Updated 2026-02-25

Botswana flag Botswana

Minimum Wage

P9.06 /hr

$0.67 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

P7,500 /mo

Syria flag Syria

Minimum Wage

£S1,850 /mo

$16.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

£S13,500 /mo

Min wage: -96% Botswana vs Syria Avg. salary: +362% Botswana vs Syria

The minimum wage in Botswana is roughly 25 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: $555/mo in Botswana versus $120/mo in Syria, a 4.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Botswana is 4.3x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Botswana has higher GDP per capita ($20,538 vs $4,772). Botswana's unemployment rate is 24.5% compared to Syria's 13.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Botswana and Syria
Metric Botswana Syria
Minimum wage /hr P9.06 $0.67
Minimum wage /mo P1,883 $139.38 £S1,850 $16.46
Minimum wage /yr P22,596 $1,672.54
Avg. gross salary /mo P7,500 /mo $555.14 £S13,500 /mo $120.13
Avg. net salary /mo P6,200 /mo $458.92 £S12,000 /mo $106.78
Median individual income /yr P36,000 /yr $2,664.69 N/A/yr

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Botswana is higher.

Work Week

Botswana

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or 8 hours/day for 6-day week). Overtime maximum of 14 additional hours per week. Overtime rate is 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays or rest days compensated at 2x.

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 Botswana earns 2355% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria.

See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs Botswana

Compare Botswana with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Botswana or Syria?

In Botswana, the minimum wage is P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 2355% 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 Botswana may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Botswana compared to Syria?

The average gross salary in Botswana is P7,500/mo ($555.14 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Botswana earn approximately 362% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Botswana and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Botswana earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.

How do work hours compare between Botswana and Syria?

Both Botswana and Syria mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.

What is the cost of living difference between Botswana and Syria?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Botswana has the higher GDP per capita at $20,538, which is 4.3x that of Syria at $4,772. From Botswana'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.