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Key Facts: Suriname vs Fiji Wages

Suriname Minimum Wage
Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
Fiji Minimum Wage
FJ$5/hr ($2.25 USD)
Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
Fiji Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
FJ$2,500 /mo ($1,126.13 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Fiji Government / Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations (2026-02-25)

Suriname flag Suriname Fiji flag Fiji

Updated 2026-02-25

Suriname flag Suriname

Minimum Wage

Sr$2,166 /mo

$59.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Sr$5,500 /mo

Fiji flag Fiji

Minimum Wage

FJ$5 /hr

$2.25 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

FJ$2,500 /mo

Min wage: +2520% Suriname vs Fiji Avg. salary: -87% Suriname vs Fiji

The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 26 times higher than in Fiji 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 $1,126/mo in Fiji, a 7.5:1 ratio. Fiji has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.3% compared to 7.8%.

Suriname has higher GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $15,450). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Fiji's 5.3%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Suriname and Fiji
Metric Suriname Fiji
Minimum wage /hr FJ$5 $2.25
Minimum wage /mo Sr$2,166 $59.02 FJ$960 $432.43
Minimum wage /yr Sr$25,992 $708.23 FJ$11,520 $5,189.19
Avg. gross salary /mo Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 FJ$2,500 /mo $1,126.13
Avg. net salary /mo Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 FJ$2,100 /mo $945.95
Median individual income /yr Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 FJ$14,400 /yr $6,486.49

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.

Fiji

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Statutory maximum of 48 hours per week (8 hours/day, 6 days) under the Employment Relations Act 2007. Many office-based employers adopt a 40-hour week (8 hours/day, Monday-Friday) by policy or collective agreement. Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays at 2x.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Fiji to Suriname would see a 2520% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Suriname mandates 40 hours while Fiji mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Suriname are $2,361 vs $108 in Fiji.

See this comparison from Fiji's perspective: Fiji vs Suriname

Compare Suriname with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Fiji?

In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Fiji, it is FJ$5/hr ($2.25 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 2520% 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 Fiji 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 Fiji?

The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to FJ$2,500/mo ($1,126.13 USD) in Fiji. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 651% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Fiji is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Fiji 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 Fiji?

Fiji has a longer standard work week at 48 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 Fiji?

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 1.4x that of Fiji at $15,450. 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.