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Key Facts: Suriname vs Tanzania Wages

Suriname Minimum Wage
Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
Tanzania Minimum Wage
TZS1,010/hr ($0.38 USD)
Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
Tanzania Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
TZS650,000 /mo ($244.36 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities; Labour Institutions (Minimum Wage for Private Sector) Order, 2025 — Government Notice No. 605A, gazetted 13 October 2025, eff 1 January 2026 (kazi.go.tz PDF) (2026-05-27)

Suriname flag Suriname Tanzania flag Tanzania

Updated 2026-05-27

Suriname flag Suriname

Minimum Wage

Sr$2,166 /mo

$59.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Sr$5,500 /mo

Tanzania flag Tanzania

Minimum Wage

TZS1,010 /hr

$0.38 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

TZS650,000 /mo

Min wage: +15444% Suriname vs Tanzania Avg. salary: -39% Suriname vs Tanzania

The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 155 times higher than in Tanzania 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 $244/mo in Tanzania. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 5.2x that of Tanzania, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Suriname has higher GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $4,221). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Tanzania's 1.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Suriname and Tanzania
Metric Suriname Tanzania
Minimum wage /hr TZS1,010 $0.38
Minimum wage /day TZS5,833 $2.19
Minimum wage /mo Sr$2,166 $59.02 TZS175,000 $65.79
Minimum wage /yr Sr$25,992 $708.23 TZS2,100,000 $789.47
Avg. gross salary /mo Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 TZS650,000 /mo $244.36
Avg. net salary /mo Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 TZS520,000 /mo $195.49
Median individual income /yr Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 TZS2,400,000 /yr $902.26

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.

Tanzania

45 hrs/wk standard

Max 45 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Employment and Labour Relations Act sets ordinary working hours at 45 per week (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or various combinations not exceeding 45). Overtime: 150% of normal rate. Public holiday work: 200%. Maximum overtime is 50 hours in any 4-week cycle. Night work restrictions apply to pregnant women and young persons.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Tanzania to Suriname would see a 15444% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Suriname mandates 40 hours while Tanzania mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Suriname are $2,361 vs $17 in Tanzania.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Tanzania?

In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Tanzania, it is TZS1,010/hr ($0.38 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 15444% 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 Tanzania 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 Tanzania?

The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to TZS650,000/mo ($244.36 USD) in Tanzania. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 63% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Tanzania is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Tanzania 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 Tanzania?

Tanzania 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 Tanzania?

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 5.2x that of Tanzania at $4,221. 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.