Key Facts: Suriname vs Russia Wages
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Russia Minimum Wage
- ₽156.31/hr ($1.61 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Russia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₽100,316 /mo ($1,034.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (Минтруд России); Federal Law 548-FZ verified via ConsultantPlus (consultant.ru/law/hotdocs/91688.html) (2026-05-27)
Suriname
Russia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 37 times higher than in Russia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $150/mo in Suriname versus $1,034/mo in Russia, a 6.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Russia is 2.2x that of Suriname, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Suriname has lower GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $47,405). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Russia's 2.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Suriname | Russia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ₽156.31 $1.61 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Sr$2,166 $59.02 | ₽27,093 $279.31 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Sr$25,992 $708.23 | ₽325,116 $3,351.71 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 | ₽100,316 /mo $1,034.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 | ₽87,275 /mo $899.74 |
| Median individual income /yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 | ₽880,800 /yr $9,080.41 |
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.
- Russia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets 40 hrs/week standard. Reduced hours for certain categories: under-16 (24 hrs), 16-18 (35 hrs), hazardous work (36 hrs). First 2 hours of overtime: 1.5x; subsequent hours: 2.0x. Overtime limited to 4 hrs over 2 consecutive days, 120 hrs/year. Public holidays (14 per year) are paid non-working days.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Russia to Suriname would see a 3562% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Russia's perspective: Russia vs Suriname
Compare Suriname with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Russia?
In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Russia, it is ₽156.31/hr ($1.61 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 3562% 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 Russia 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 Russia?
The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to ₽100,316/mo ($1,034.19 USD) in Russia. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 590% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Russia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Russia 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 Russia?
Both Suriname and Russia 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 Russia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Russia has the higher GDP per capita at $47,405, which is 2.2x 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.