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Key Facts: Suriname vs Lebanon Wages

Suriname Minimum Wage
Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
Lebanon Minimum Wage
L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD)
Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
Lebanon Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
L£27,000,000 /mo ($301.68 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour — Lebanon (2026-02-25)

Suriname flag Suriname Lebanon flag Lebanon

Updated 2026-02-25

Suriname flag Suriname

Minimum Wage

Sr$2,166 /mo

$59.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Sr$5,500 /mo

Lebanon flag Lebanon

Minimum Wage

L£161,600 /hr

$1.81 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

L£27,000,000 /mo

Min wage: +3169% Suriname vs Lebanon Avg. salary: -50% Suriname vs Lebanon

The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 33 times higher than in Lebanon in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $150/mo in Suriname versus $302/mo in Lebanon, a 2.0:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 1.7x that of Lebanon, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Suriname has higher GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $12,575). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Lebanon's 11.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Suriname and Lebanon
Metric Suriname Lebanon
Minimum wage /hr L£161,600 $1.81
Minimum wage /mo Sr$2,166 $59.02 L£28,000,000 $312.85
Minimum wage /yr Sr$25,992 $708.23 L£336,000,000 $3,754.19
Avg. gross salary /mo Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 L£27,000,000 /mo $301.68
Avg. net salary /mo Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 L£24,000,000 /mo $268.16
Median individual income /yr Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 L£144,000,000 /yr $1,608.94

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.

Lebanon

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Code sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 150% of normal rate. Overtime on holidays at 200%. In practice, many workers work longer hours due to the economic crisis.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Lebanon to Suriname would see a 3169% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Suriname mandates 40 hours while Lebanon mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Suriname are $2,361 vs $87 in Lebanon.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Lebanon?

In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Lebanon, it is L£161,600/hr ($1.81 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 3169% 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 Lebanon 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 Lebanon?

The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to L£27,000,000/mo ($301.68 USD) in Lebanon. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 101% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Lebanon is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Lebanon 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 Lebanon?

Lebanon 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 Lebanon?

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 1.7x that of Lebanon at $12,575. 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.