Key Facts: Mexico vs Syria Wages
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Data Sources
- CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)
Mexico
Syria
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Mexico is roughly 34 times higher than in Syria in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $952/mo in Mexico versus $120/mo in Syria, a 7.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Mexico is 5.5x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Mexico's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Mexico's minimum wage buys more than Syria's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Mexico is $966 international dollars, compared to $1 in Syria. Mexico has higher GDP per capita ($26,185 vs $4,772). Mexico's unemployment rate is 2.7% compared to Syria's 13.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mexico | Syria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | MX$315.04 $18.18 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | MX$9,583.52 $553.10 | £S1,850 $16.46 |
| Minimum wage /yr | MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 |
| Median individual income /yr | MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Mexico is higher.
Work Week
- Mexico
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (daytime). Night shift maximum is 42 hours, mixed shift 45 hours. First 9 hours of overtime per week at 200% rate; beyond that at 300%. A 2023 reform discussion to reduce to 40 hours is pending.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Syria to Mexico would see a 3260% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs Mexico
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Mexico or Syria?
In Mexico, the minimum wage is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 3260% 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 Syria may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Mexico compared to Syria?
The average gross salary in Mexico is MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Mexico earn approximately 693% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Mexico and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mexico earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Mexico or Syria?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Mexico can afford more than those in Syria. The PPP-adjusted rate is $966 in Mexico and $1 in Syria. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 91679% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Syria appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Mexico and Syria?
Both Mexico 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 Mexico and Syria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mexico has the higher GDP per capita at $26,185, which is 5.5x that of Syria at $4,772. From Mexico'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.