Key Facts: Suriname vs Angola Wages
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Angola Minimum Wage
- Kz167.60/hr ($0.18 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Angola Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Kz150,000 /mo ($162.16 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Angolan Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security (MAPTSS) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Suriname
Angola
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 326 times higher than in Angola in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Suriname at $150/mo compared to $162/mo in Angola. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 2.2x that of Angola, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Suriname has higher GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $10,119). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Angola's 14.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Suriname | Angola |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Kz167.60 $0.18 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Kz1,342 $1.45 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Sr$2,166 $59.02 | Kz32,181 $34.79 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Sr$25,992 $708.23 | Kz386,172 $417.48 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 | Kz150,000 /mo $162.16 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 | Kz432,000 /yr $467.03 |
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.
- Angola
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
General Labour Law (Lei Geral do Trabalho) sets standard hours at 44/week (8 hrs/day over 5.5 days). Maximum total (including overtime) is 54 hours/week. Overtime hours 1–2 are compensated at 150%; hours beyond 2 at 175%; Sunday/holiday at 200%. Night work (9pm–6am) carries a 25% premium. Workers receive a mandatory 13th-month salary bonus annually.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Angola to Suriname would see a 32473% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Suriname mandates 40 hours while Angola mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Suriname are $2,361 vs $8 in Angola.
See this comparison from Angola's perspective: Angola vs Suriname
Compare Suriname with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Angola?
In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Angola, it is Kz167.60/hr ($0.18 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 32473% 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 Angola 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 Angola?
The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to Kz150,000/mo ($162.16 USD) in Angola. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 8% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Angola is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Angola 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 Angola?
Angola has a longer standard work week at 44 hours, compared to 40 hours in Suriname. Workers in Suriname work 40 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 Suriname and Angola?
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 2.2x that of Angola at $10,119. From Suriname'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.