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Key Facts: Qatar vs Suriname Wages

Qatar Minimum Wage
QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
Suriname Minimum Wage
Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24), Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25)

Qatar flag Qatar Suriname flag Suriname

Updated 2026-02-25

Qatar flag Qatar

Minimum Wage

QAR5.21 /hr

$1.43 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

QAR11,724 /mo

Suriname flag Suriname

Minimum Wage

Sr$2,166 /mo

$59.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Sr$5,500 /mo

Min wage: -98% Qatar vs Suriname Avg. salary: +2049% Qatar vs Suriname

The minimum wage in Qatar is roughly 41 times lower than in Suriname in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,221/mo in Qatar versus $150/mo in Suriname, a 21.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 5.8x that of Suriname, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Qatar has higher GDP per capita ($126,046 vs $21,801). Qatar's unemployment rate is 0.1% compared to Suriname's 7.8%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Qatar and Suriname
Metric Qatar Suriname
Minimum wage /hr QAR5.21 $1.43
Minimum wage /mo QAR1,000 $274.73 Sr$2,166 $59.02
Minimum wage /yr QAR12,000 $3,296.70 Sr$25,992 $708.23
Avg. gross salary /mo QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86
Avg. net salary /mo QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 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 Qatar is higher.

Work Week

Qatar

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.25x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days/week) under the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium: 25% of basic wage. Work between 9pm and 6am attracts a 50% premium. Government sector typically works 35-40 hours/week.

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.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Qatar earns 4023% less per hour in USD terms than one in Suriname. Standard work weeks differ: Qatar mandates 48 hours while Suriname mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Qatar are $69 vs $2,361 in Suriname.

See this comparison from Suriname's perspective: Suriname vs Qatar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Qatar or Suriname?

In Qatar, the minimum wage is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). In Suriname, it is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 4023% 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 Qatar may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Qatar compared to Suriname?

The average gross salary in Qatar is QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD), compared to Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD) in Suriname. In USD terms, workers in Qatar earn approximately 2049% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Qatar and Suriname is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Qatar earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Suriname.

How do work hours compare between Qatar and Suriname?

Qatar has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Suriname. Workers in Qatar work 48 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 Qatar and Suriname?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Qatar has the higher GDP per capita at $126,046, which is 5.8x that of Suriname at $21,801. From Qatar'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.