Key Facts: Suriname vs Cuba Wages
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Suriname 
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 1997 times higher than in Cuba 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 $16/mo in Cuba, a 9.2:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 7.8%.
Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Suriname | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Sr$2,166 $59.02 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Sr$25,992 $708.23 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
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.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Suriname would see a 199552% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Suriname mandates 40 hours while Cuba mandates 44 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Suriname are $2,361 vs $1 in Cuba.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Suriname
Compare Suriname with...
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Suriname vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Cuba?
In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 199552% 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 Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Suriname compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 824% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Suriname earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Suriname and Cuba?
Cuba 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.