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Key Facts: Qatar vs Syria Wages

Qatar Minimum Wage
QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD)
Syria Minimum Wage
£S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
Qatar Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
QAR11,724 /mo ($3,220.88 USD)
Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
£S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour (MOL) — State of Qatar (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)

Qatar flag Qatar Syria flag Syria

Updated 2026-02-25

Qatar flag Qatar

Minimum Wage

QAR5.21 /hr

$1.43 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

QAR11,724 /mo

Syria flag Syria

Minimum Wage

£S1,850 /mo

$16.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

£S13,500 /mo

Min wage: -91% Qatar vs Syria Avg. salary: +2581% Qatar vs Syria

The minimum wage in Qatar is roughly 12 times lower than in Syria in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $3,221/mo in Qatar versus $120/mo in Syria, a 26.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Qatar is 26.4x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Qatar has higher GDP per capita ($126,046 vs $4,772). Qatar's unemployment rate is 0.1% compared to Syria's 13.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Qatar and Syria
Metric Qatar Syria
Minimum wage /hr QAR5.21 $1.43
Minimum wage /mo QAR1,000 $274.73 £S1,850 $16.46
Minimum wage /yr QAR12,000 $3,296.70
Avg. gross salary /mo QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 £S13,500 /mo $120.13
Avg. net salary /mo QAR11,724 /mo $3,220.88 £S12,000 /mo $106.78

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.

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 Qatar earns 1050% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Qatar or Syria?

In Qatar, the minimum wage is QAR5.21/hr ($1.43 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 1050% 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 Syria?

The average gross salary in Qatar is QAR11,724/mo ($3,220.88 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Qatar earn approximately 2581% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Qatar and Syria 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 Syria.

How do work hours compare between Qatar and Syria?

Both Qatar and Syria mandate a similar standard work week of 48 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.

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

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 26.4x that of Syria at $4,772. 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.