Key Facts: Ivory Coast vs Suriname Wages
- Ivory Coast Minimum Wage
- CFA432.70/hr ($0.78 USD)
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Ivory Coast Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- CFA337,000 /mo ($605.03 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Protection Sociale — Côte d'Ivoire (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25)
Ivory Coast
Suriname
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Ivory Coast is roughly 76 times lower than in Suriname in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $605/mo in Ivory Coast versus $150/mo in Suriname, a 4.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 2.8x that of Ivory Coast, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Ivory Coast has lower GDP per capita ($7,669 vs $21,801). Ivory Coast's unemployment rate is 2.3% compared to Suriname's 7.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Ivory Coast | Suriname |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | CFA432.70 $0.78 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | CFA75,000 $134.65 | Sr$2,166 $59.02 |
| Minimum wage /yr | CFA900,000 $1,615.80 | Sr$25,992 $708.23 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | CFA337,000 /mo $605.03 | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | CFA280,000 /mo $502.69 | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 |
| Median individual income /yr | CFA960,000 /yr $1,723.52 | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Ivory Coast is higher.
Work Week
- Ivory Coast
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.15x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 40 per week (non-agricultural) and 48 hours for agricultural workers. Overtime rates: 115% for the first 8 hours of weekly overtime, 150% for subsequent hours. Night work (9pm-5am) and holiday work have higher multipliers.
- 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 Ivory Coast earns 7497% less per hour in USD terms than one in Suriname.
See this comparison from Suriname's perspective: Suriname vs Ivory Coast
Compare Ivory Coast with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Ivory Coast or Suriname?
In Ivory Coast, the minimum wage is CFA432.70/hr ($0.78 USD). In Suriname, it is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 7497% 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 Ivory Coast may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Ivory Coast compared to Suriname?
The average gross salary in Ivory Coast is CFA337,000/mo ($605.03 USD), compared to Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD) in Suriname. In USD terms, workers in Ivory Coast earn approximately 304% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Ivory Coast and Suriname is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Ivory Coast earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Suriname.
How do work hours compare between Ivory Coast and Suriname?
Both Ivory Coast and Suriname mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Ivory Coast and Suriname?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Suriname has the higher GDP per capita at $21,801, which is 2.8x that of Ivory Coast at $7,669. From Ivory Coast's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.