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Key Facts: Myanmar vs Syria Wages

Myanmar Minimum Wage
K975/hr ($0.46 USD)
Syria Minimum Wage
£S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
Myanmar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
K450,000 /mo ($214.29 USD)
Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
£S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
Data Sources
National Committee for Setting up the Minimum Wage — Myanmar (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)

Myanmar flag Myanmar Syria flag Syria

Updated 2026-02-25

Myanmar flag Myanmar

Minimum Wage

K975 /hr

$0.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

K450,000 /mo

Syria flag Syria

Minimum Wage

£S1,850 /mo

$16.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

£S13,500 /mo

Min wage: -97% Myanmar vs Syria Avg. salary: +78% Myanmar vs Syria

The minimum wage in Myanmar is roughly 35 times lower than in Syria in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are higher in Myanmar at $214/mo compared to $120/mo in Syria. Myanmar has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.0% compared to 13.6%.

Myanmar has higher GDP per capita ($5,997 vs $4,772). Myanmar's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Syria's 13.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Myanmar and Syria
Metric Myanmar Syria
Minimum wage /hr K975 $0.46
Minimum wage /day K7,800 $3.71
Minimum wage /mo K202,800 $96.57 £S1,850 $16.46
Minimum wage /yr K2,433,600 $1,158.86
Avg. gross salary /mo K450,000 /mo $214.29 £S13,500 /mo $120.13
Avg. net salary /mo K400,000 /mo $190.48 £S12,000 /mo $106.78
Median individual income /yr K1,800,000 /yr $857.14 N/A/yr

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

Work Week

Myanmar

44 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 2x pay

Factories Act sets normal working hours at 44 hours per week for factories. Shops and Establishments Law allows up to 48 hours. Overtime is paid at double the normal rate.

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 Myanmar earns 3446% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria. Standard work weeks differ: Myanmar mandates 44 hours while Syria mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Myanmar are $20 vs $790 in Syria.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Myanmar or Syria?

In Myanmar, the minimum wage is K975/hr ($0.46 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 3446% 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 Myanmar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

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

The average gross salary in Myanmar is K450,000/mo ($214.29 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Myanmar earn approximately 78% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Myanmar and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Myanmar earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.

How do work hours compare between Myanmar and Syria?

Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 44 hours in Myanmar. Workers in Myanmar work 44 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Myanmar 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.

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

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Myanmar has the higher GDP per capita at $5,997, which is 1.3x that of Syria at $4,772. From Myanmar'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.