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Key Facts: Suriname vs Mozambique Wages

Suriname Minimum Wage
Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
Mozambique Minimum Wage
MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD)
Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
Mozambique Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
MT18,000 /mo ($281.91 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministério do Trabalho e Segurança Social — Mozambique (2026-02-25)

Suriname flag Suriname Mozambique flag Mozambique

Updated 2026-02-25

Suriname flag Suriname

Minimum Wage

Sr$2,166 /mo

$59.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Sr$5,500 /mo

Mozambique flag Mozambique

Minimum Wage

MT38.60 /hr

$0.60 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

MT18,000 /mo

Min wage: +9663% Suriname vs Mozambique Avg. salary: -47% Suriname vs Mozambique

The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 98 times higher than in Mozambique in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Suriname at $150/mo compared to $282/mo in Mozambique. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 12.8x that of Mozambique, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Suriname has higher GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $1,705). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Mozambique's 6.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Suriname and Mozambique
Metric Suriname Mozambique
Minimum wage /hr MT38.60 $0.60
Minimum wage /mo Sr$2,166 $59.02 MT6,688 $104.75
Minimum wage /yr Sr$25,992 $708.23 MT80,256 $1,256.95
Avg. gross salary /mo Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 MT18,000 /mo $281.91
Avg. net salary /mo Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 MT15,500 /mo $242.76
Median individual income /yr Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 MT60,000 /yr $939.70

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.

Mozambique

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law sets maximum working hours at 48 per week and 8 hours per day. Overtime is limited to 96 hours per quarter and 200 hours per year. Overtime compensated at 150% for regular days and 200% for holidays and rest days.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Mozambique to Suriname would see a 9663% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Suriname mandates 40 hours while Mozambique mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Suriname are $2,361 vs $29 in Mozambique.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Mozambique?

In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Mozambique, it is MT38.60/hr ($0.60 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 9663% 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 Mozambique 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 Mozambique?

The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to MT18,000/mo ($281.91 USD) in Mozambique. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 88% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Mozambique is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mozambique 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 Mozambique?

Mozambique 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 Mozambique?

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 12.8x that of Mozambique at $1,705. 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.