Key Facts: Palestine vs Suriname Wages
- Palestine Minimum Wage
- ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD)
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Palestine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪3,200 /mo ($1,136.57 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Data Sources
- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25)
Palestine
Suriname
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Palestine is roughly 11 times higher 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: $1,137/mo in Palestine versus $150/mo in Suriname, a 7.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 5.0x that of Palestine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Palestine's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Palestine's minimum wage buys more than Suriname's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Palestine is $3,186 international dollars, compared to $204 in Suriname. Palestine has lower GDP per capita ($4,371 vs $21,801). Palestine's unemployment rate is 24.4% compared to Suriname's 7.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Palestine | Suriname |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | ₪86 $30.55 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₪1,880 $667.73 | Sr$2,166 $59.02 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | Sr$25,992 $708.23 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₪3,200 /mo $1,136.57 | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Palestine is higher.
Work Week
- Palestine
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Palestinian Labour Law sets 45 hours/week maximum ordinary time (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime payable at 1.25x. Friday is the weekly rest day. Workers employed in Israel work under Israeli labour law (which has different provisions). The conflict beginning October 2023 has fundamentally disrupted normal labour conditions across the territory.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Suriname to Palestine would see a 1031% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Palestine mandates 45 hours while Suriname mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Palestine are $30,048 vs $2,361 in Suriname.
See this comparison from Suriname's perspective: Suriname vs Palestine
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Palestine or Suriname?
In Palestine, the minimum wage is ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD). In Suriname, it is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). Palestine has the higher rate by 1031% 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 Suriname may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Palestine compared to Suriname?
The average gross salary in Palestine is ₪3,200/mo ($1,136.57 USD), compared to Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD) in Suriname. In USD terms, workers in Palestine earn approximately 658% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Palestine and Suriname is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Palestine earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Suriname.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Palestine or Suriname?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Palestine can afford more than those in Suriname. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3,186 in Palestine and $204 in Suriname. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 1459% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Suriname appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Palestine and Suriname?
Palestine has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Suriname. Workers in Palestine work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Suriname 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 Palestine 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 5.0x that of Palestine at $4,371. From Palestine'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.