Key Facts: Suriname vs Uganda Wages
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Uganda Minimum Wage
- UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25), Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25)
Suriname
Uganda
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Suriname is roughly 278 times higher than in Uganda in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $150/mo in Suriname versus $424/mo in Uganda, a 2.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 6.7x that of Uganda, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Suriname has higher GDP per capita ($21,801 vs $3,273). Suriname's unemployment rate is 7.8% compared to Uganda's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Suriname | Uganda |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | UGX750 $0.21 |
| Minimum wage /mo | Sr$2,166 $59.02 | UGX130,000 $36.78 |
| Minimum wage /yr | Sr$25,992 $708.23 | UGX1,560,000 $441.30 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 | UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 | UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 |
| Median individual income /yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 | UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 |
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.
- Uganda
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Uganda to Suriname would see a 27718% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Suriname mandates 40 hours while Uganda mandates 48 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Suriname are $2,361 vs $10 in Uganda.
See this comparison from Uganda's perspective: Uganda vs Suriname
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Suriname or Uganda?
In Suriname, the minimum wage is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). In Uganda, it is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 27718% 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 Uganda 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 Uganda?
The average gross salary in Suriname is Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD), compared to UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD) in Uganda. In USD terms, workers in Suriname earn approximately 183% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Suriname and Uganda is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uganda 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 Uganda?
Uganda 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 Uganda?
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 6.7x that of Uganda at $3,273. 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.