Key Facts: Kosovo vs Suriname Wages
- Kosovo Minimum Wage
- €1.57/hr ($1.83 USD)
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Kosovo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €650 /mo ($756.96 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Data Sources
- Kosovo Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers / Kosovo Labour Law No. 03/L-212 (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25)
Kosovo
Suriname
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Kosovo is roughly 32 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: $757/mo in Kosovo versus $150/mo in Suriname, a 5.1:1 ratio.
Kosovo has lower GDP per capita ($17,864 vs $21,801).
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kosovo | Suriname |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €1.57 $1.83 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | €264 $307.44 | Sr$2,166 $59.02 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €3,168 $3,689.30 | Sr$25,992 $708.23 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €650 /mo $756.96 | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €580 /mo $675.44 | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 |
| Median individual income /yr | €3,600 /yr $4,192.38 | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Kosovo is higher.
Work Week
- Kosovo
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.3x pay
Labour Law No. 03/L-212 sets the standard working week at 40 hours (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours/week (overtime limit: 8 hrs/week, 40 hrs/month, 240 hrs/year). Overtime is compensated at 130% of regular pay. Night work (22:00–06:00) carries a 26% premium. Weekend work is compensated at 150%. Workers are entitled to 18 days of paid annual leave (minimum); employees with disabilities and younger workers get more.
- 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 Kosovo earns 3128% less per hour in USD terms than one in Suriname.
See this comparison from Suriname's perspective: Suriname vs Kosovo
Compare Kosovo with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Kosovo or Suriname?
In Kosovo, the minimum wage is €1.57/hr ($1.83 USD). In Suriname, it is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 3128% 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 Kosovo may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Kosovo compared to Suriname?
The average gross salary in Kosovo is €650/mo ($756.96 USD), compared to Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD) in Suriname. In USD terms, workers in Kosovo earn approximately 405% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Kosovo and Suriname is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kosovo earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Suriname.
How do work hours compare between Kosovo and Suriname?
Both Kosovo 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 Kosovo 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 1.2x that of Kosovo at $17,864. From Kosovo'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.