Cuba Suriname

Updated 2026-02-25

Cuba

Minimum Wage

$MN12.12 /hr

$0.03 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

$MN6,649 /mo

Suriname

Minimum Wage

Sr$2,166 /mo

$59.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Sr$5,500 /mo

Min wage: -100% Cuba vs Suriname Avg. salary: -89% Cuba vs Suriname

The minimum wage in Cuba is roughly 1997 times lower than in Suriname in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $16/mo in Cuba versus $150/mo in Suriname, a 9.2:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 7.8%.

Cuba's unemployment rate is 1.8% compared to Suriname's 7.8%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Cuba and Suriname
Metric	Cuba	Suriname	Diff
Minimum wage /hr	$MN12.12 $0.03	—	—
Minimum wage /mo	$MN2,100 $5.12	Sr$2,166 $59.02	-91.3%
Minimum wage /yr	$MN25,200 $61.46	Sr$25,992 $708.23	-91.3%
Avg. gross salary /mo	$MN6,649 /mo $16.22	Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86	-89.2%
Avg. net salary /mo	$MN6,300 /mo $15.37	Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07	-88.0%
Median individual income /yr	$MN48,000 /yr $117.07	Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94	-84.7%

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

Work Week

Cuba: 44 hrs/wk standard

Max 44 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
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 Cuba earns 199552% less per hour in USD terms than one in Suriname. Standard work weeks differ: Cuba mandates 44 hours while Suriname mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Cuba are $1 vs $2,361 in Suriname.

See this comparison from Suriname's perspective: Suriname vs Cuba

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Cuba or Suriname?

In Cuba, the minimum wage is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). In Suriname, it is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 199552% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Cuba compared to Suriname?

The average gross salary in Cuba is $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD), compared to Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD) in Suriname. In USD terms, workers in Cuba earn approximately 824% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cuba and Suriname is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Suriname earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.

How do work hours compare between Cuba and Suriname?

Cuba has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Suriname. Workers in Cuba work 44 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.