Skip to main content

Key Facts: Suriname vs Tunisia Wages

Suriname Minimum Wage
Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
Tunisia Minimum Wage
TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD)
Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
Tunisia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
TND1,200 /mo ($383.39 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministère des Affaires Sociales / SMIG/SMAG decrees (2026-02-24)

Suriname flag Suriname Tunisia flag Tunisia

Updated 2026-02-25

Suriname flag Suriname

Minimum Wage

Sr$2,166 /mo

$59.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Sr$5,500 /mo

Tunisia flag Tunisia

Minimum Wage

TND2.31 /hr

$0.74 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

TND1,200 /mo

Min wage: +7900% Suriname vs Tunisia Avg. salary: -61% Suriname vs Tunisia

The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 80 times higher than in Tunisia 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 $383/mo in Tunisia, a 2.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 1.5x that of Tunisia, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Suriname has higher GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $14,521). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Tunisia's 15.1%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Suriname and Tunisia
Metric Suriname Tunisia
Minimum wage /hr TND2.31 $0.74
Minimum wage /day TND16 $5.11
Minimum wage /mo Sr$2,166 $59.02 TND480 $153.35
Minimum wage /yr Sr$25,992 $708.23 TND5,760 $1,840.26
Avg. gross salary /mo Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 TND1,200 /mo $383.39
Avg. net salary /mo Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 TND1,020 /mo $325.88
Median individual income /yr Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 TND7,200 /yr $2,300.32

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.

Tunisia

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.75x pay

Labour Code allows both 48-hour and 40-hour regimes depending on sector and collective agreements. Most industrial/services workers are on 48 hours. Overtime surcharge: 75% for daytime hours beyond standard. Night and holiday overtime receive higher premiums. The 40-hour regime is increasingly common in services and offices.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Tunisia to Suriname would see a 7900% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Suriname mandates 40 hours while Tunisia mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Suriname are $2,361 vs $35 in Tunisia.

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

Compare Suriname with...

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Tunisia?

In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Tunisia, it is TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 7900% 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 Tunisia 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 Tunisia?

The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to TND1,200/mo ($383.39 USD) in Tunisia. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 156% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Tunisia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Tunisia 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 Tunisia?

Tunisia 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 Tunisia?

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 1.5x that of Tunisia at $14,521. 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.