Key Facts: Suriname vs Albania Wages
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Albania Minimum Wage
- L287/hr ($3.51 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Albania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L83,000 /mo ($1,015.04 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Finance and Economy / Council of Ministers of Albania (2026-02-25)
Suriname
Albania
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 17 times higher than in Albania in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $150/mo in Suriname versus $1,015/mo in Albania, a 6.8:1 ratio. Suriname has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 7.8% compared to 10.9%.
Suriname has lower GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $26,702). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Albania's 10.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Suriname | Albania |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | L287 $3.51 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Sr$2,166 $59.02 | L50,000 $611.47 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Sr$25,992 $708.23 | L600,000 $7,337.65 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 | L83,000 /mo $1,015.04 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 | L66,000 /mo $807.14 |
| Median individual income /yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 | L480,000 /yr $5,870.12 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Suriname is higher.
Work 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.
- Albania
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day, 5 days). Overtime premium minimum 25% above standard rate. Weekend/holiday work premium minimum 50%. Maximum 200 hours overtime per year. Cannot exceed 48 hours in any single week except exceptional circumstances.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Albania to Suriname would see a 1582% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Albania's perspective: Albania vs Suriname
Compare Suriname with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Albania?
In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Albania, it is L287/hr ($3.51 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 1582% 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 Albania may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Suriname compared to Albania?
The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to L83,000/mo ($1,015.04 USD) in Albania. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 577% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Albania is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Albania earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Suriname.
How do work hours compare between Suriname and Albania?
Both Suriname and Albania mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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 Suriname and Albania?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Albania has the higher GDP per capita at $26,702, which is 1.2x that of Suriname at $21,801. From Suriname'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.