Key Facts: North Macedonia vs Syria Wages
- North Macedonia Minimum Wage
- ден207/hr ($3.95 USD)
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- North Macedonia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ден55,000 /mo ($1,050.62 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)
North Macedonia
Syria
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in North Macedonia is 76% lower than in Syria in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,051/mo in North Macedonia versus $120/mo in Syria, a 8.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in North Macedonia is 5.7x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
North Macedonia has higher GDP per capita ($26,995 vs $4,772). North Macedonia's unemployment rate is 12.3% compared to Syria's 13.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | North Macedonia | Syria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ден207 $3.95 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ден36,037 $688.39 | £S1,850 $16.46 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ден432,444 $8,260.63 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ден55,000 /mo $1,050.62 | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ден38,000 /mo $725.88 | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 |
| Median individual income /yr | ден264,000 /yr $5,042.98 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means North Macedonia is higher.
Work Week
- North Macedonia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Relations Law sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week, up to 190 hours per year. Overtime premium at least 35%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 35%. Work on rest days and holidays at least 50% premium.
- 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 North Macedonia earns 316% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria. Standard work weeks differ: North Macedonia mandates 40 hours while Syria mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in North Macedonia are $158 vs $790 in Syria.
See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs North Macedonia
Compare North Macedonia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in North Macedonia or Syria?
In North Macedonia, the minimum wage is ден207/hr ($3.95 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 316% 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 North Macedonia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in North Macedonia compared to Syria?
The average gross salary in North Macedonia is ден55,000/mo ($1,050.62 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in North Macedonia earn approximately 775% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between North Macedonia and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in North Macedonia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.
How do work hours compare between North Macedonia and Syria?
Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in North Macedonia. Workers in North Macedonia work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia and Syria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. North Macedonia has the higher GDP per capita at $26,995, which is 5.7x that of Syria at $4,772. From North Macedonia'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.