Key Facts: Suriname vs Palestine Wages
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Palestine Minimum Wage
- ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Palestine Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₪3,200 /mo ($1,136.57 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) / ILO (2026-02-25)
Suriname
Palestine
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 11 times lower than in Palestine 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 $1,137/mo in Palestine, a 7.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 5.0x that of Palestine, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Suriname's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Suriname's minimum wage buys less than Palestine's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Suriname is $204 international dollars, compared to $3,186 in Palestine. Suriname has higher GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $4,371). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Palestine's 24.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Suriname | Palestine |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | — | ₪86 $30.55 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Sr$2,166 $59.02 | ₪1,880 $667.73 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Sr$25,992 $708.23 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 | ₪3,200 /mo $1,136.57 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 | N/A/yr |
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.
- Palestine
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 54 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Palestinian Labour Law sets 45 hours/week maximum ordinary time (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime payable at 1.25x. Friday is the weekly rest day. Workers employed in Israel work under Israeli labour law (which has different provisions). The conflict beginning October 2023 has fundamentally disrupted normal labour conditions across the territory.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Suriname earns 1031% less per hour in USD terms than one in Palestine. Standard work weeks differ: Suriname mandates 40 hours while Palestine mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Suriname are $2,361 vs $30,048 in Palestine.
See this comparison from Palestine's perspective: Palestine vs Suriname
Compare Suriname with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Palestine?
In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Palestine, it is ₪1,880/mo ($667.73 USD). Palestine has the higher rate by 1031% 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 Suriname 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 Palestine?
The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to ₪3,200/mo ($1,136.57 USD) in Palestine. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 658% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Palestine is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Palestine earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Suriname.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Suriname or Palestine?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Palestine can afford more than those in Suriname. The PPP-adjusted rate is $204 in Suriname and $3,186 in Palestine. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 1459% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Suriname appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Suriname and Palestine?
Palestine has a longer standard work week at 45 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 Palestine?
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 5.0x that of Palestine at $4,371. 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.