Key Facts: Suriname vs Nepal Wages
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Nepal Minimum Wage
- Rs112.81/hr ($0.83 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Nepal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Rs32,000 /mo ($234.43 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security; 2025 figure verified via Wikipedia List of countries by minimum wage (eff July 2025) (2026-05-04)
Suriname
Nepal
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 71 times higher than in Nepal in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Suriname at $150/mo compared to $234/mo in Nepal. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 3.8x that of Nepal, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Suriname has higher GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $5,737). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Nepal's 10.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Suriname | Nepal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | Rs112.81 $0.83 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | Rs651.67 $4.77 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Sr$2,166 $59.02 | Rs19,550 $143.22 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Sr$25,992 $708.23 | Rs234,600 $1,718.68 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 | Rs32,000 /mo $234.43 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 | Rs29,500 /mo $216.12 |
| Median individual income /yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 | Rs180,000 /yr $1,318.68 |
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.
- Nepal
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2017 sets maximum working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 150% of normal rate, limited to 4 hours/day and 24 hours/week. Weekly rest of at least one day (Saturday is the traditional rest day). Tea estate and some other sector workers may have different arrangements under sectoral orders.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Nepal to Suriname would see a 7041% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Suriname mandates 40 hours while Nepal mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Suriname are $2,361 vs $40 in Nepal.
See this comparison from Nepal's perspective: Nepal vs Suriname
Compare Suriname with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Nepal?
In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Nepal, it is Rs112.81/hr ($0.83 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 7041% 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 Nepal 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 Nepal?
The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to Rs32,000/mo ($234.43 USD) in Nepal. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 56% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Nepal is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Nepal 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 Nepal?
Nepal 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 Nepal?
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 3.8x that of Nepal at $5,737. 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.