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Key Facts: Suriname vs Poland Wages

Suriname Minimum Wage
Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
Poland Minimum Wage
zł31.40/hr ($8.64 USD)
Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
Poland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
zł8,800 /mo ($2,421.11 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Family and Social Policy (Ministerstwo Rodziny i Polityki Spolecznej) (2026-05-15)

Suriname flag Suriname Poland flag Poland

Updated 2026-05-15

Suriname flag Suriname

Minimum Wage

Sr$2,166 /mo

$59.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Sr$5,500 /mo

Poland flag Poland

Minimum Wage

zł31.40 /hr

$8.64 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

zł8,800 /mo

Min wage: +583% Suriname vs Poland Avg. salary: -94% Suriname vs Poland

The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 7 times higher than in Poland in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $150/mo in Suriname versus $2,421/mo in Poland, a 16.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Poland is 2.4x that of Suriname, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Suriname has lower GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $51,263). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Poland's 3.0%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Suriname and Poland
Metric Suriname Poland
Minimum wage /hr zł31.40 $8.64
Minimum wage /mo Sr$2,166 $59.02 zł4,806 $1,322.25
Minimum wage /yr Sr$25,992 $708.23 zł57,672 $15,867.06
Avg. gross salary /mo Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 zł8,800 /mo $2,421.11
Avg. net salary /mo Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 zł6,410 /mo $1,763.56
Median individual income /yr Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 zł79,692 /yr $21,925.33

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.

Poland

40 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime premium: 50% for weekdays, 100% for nights, Sundays, and public holidays. Annual overtime cap of 150 hours unless modified by collective agreement.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Poland to Suriname would see a 583% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Poland?

In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Poland, it is zł31.40/hr ($8.64 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 583% 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 Poland 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 Poland?

The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to zł8,800/mo ($2,421.11 USD) in Poland. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 1516% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Poland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Poland 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 Poland?

Both Suriname and Poland mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.

What is the cost of living difference between Suriname and Poland?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Poland has the higher GDP per capita at $51,263, which is 2.4x that of Suriname at $21,801. From Suriname's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower 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.