Key Facts: Poland vs Syria Wages
- Poland Minimum Wage
- zł31.40/hr ($8.64 USD)
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Poland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- zł8,800 /mo ($2,421.11 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Family and Social Policy (Ministerstwo Rodziny i Polityki Spolecznej) (2026-05-15), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)
Poland
Syria
Updated 2026-05-15
The minimum wage in Poland is 48% lower than in Syria in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $2,421/mo in Poland versus $120/mo in Syria, a 20.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Poland is 10.7x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Poland has higher GDP per capita ($51,263 vs $4,772). Poland's unemployment rate is 3.0% compared to Syria's 13.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Poland | Syria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | zł31.40 $8.64 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | zł4,806 $1,322.25 | £S1,850 $16.46 |
| Minimum wage /yr | zł57,672 $15,867.06 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | zł8,800 /mo $2,421.11 | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | zł6,410 /mo $1,763.56 | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 |
| Median individual income /yr | zł79,692 /yr $21,925.33 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Poland is higher.
Work Week
- Poland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime premium: 50% for weekdays, 100% for nights, Sundays, and public holidays. Annual overtime cap of 150 hours unless modified by collective agreement.
- 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 Poland earns 91% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria. Standard work weeks differ: Poland mandates 40 hours while Syria mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Poland are $346 vs $790 in Syria.
See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs Poland
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Poland or Syria?
In Poland, the minimum wage is zł31.40/hr ($8.64 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 91% 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 Poland may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Poland compared to Syria?
The average gross salary in Poland is zł8,800/mo ($2,421.11 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Poland earn approximately 1915% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Poland and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Poland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.
How do work hours compare between Poland and Syria?
Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Poland. Workers in Poland work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Poland 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 Poland and Syria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Poland has the higher GDP per capita at $51,263, which is 10.7x that of Syria at $4,772. From Poland'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.