Key Facts: Suriname vs Bulgaria Wages
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Bulgaria Minimum Wage
- лв7.30/hr ($4.40 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Bulgaria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- лв2,200 /mo ($1,325.30 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04)
Suriname
Bulgaria
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 13 times higher than in Bulgaria 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 $1,325/mo in Bulgaria, a 8.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Bulgaria is 1.9x that of Suriname, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Suriname has lower GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $41,969). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Bulgaria's 3.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Suriname | Bulgaria |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | лв7.30 $4.40 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Sr$2,166 $59.02 | лв1,213 $730.72 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Sr$25,992 $708.23 | лв14,556 $8,768.67 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 | лв2,200 /mo $1,325.30 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 | лв1,720 /mo $1,036.14 |
| Median individual income /yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 | лв14,400 /yr $8,674.70 |
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.
- Bulgaria
-
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, 75% for weekends, 100% for public holidays. Annual overtime limit of 150 hours.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Bulgaria to Suriname would see a 1242% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Bulgaria's perspective: Bulgaria vs Suriname
Compare Suriname with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Bulgaria?
In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Bulgaria, it is лв7.30/hr ($4.40 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 1242% 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 Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria?
The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to лв2,200/mo ($1,325.30 USD) in Bulgaria. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 784% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Bulgaria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria?
Both Suriname and Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Bulgaria has the higher GDP per capita at $41,969, which is 1.9x 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.