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Key Facts: Syria vs Botswana Wages

Syria Minimum Wage
£S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
Botswana Minimum Wage
P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD)
Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
£S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
Botswana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
P7,500 /mo ($555.14 USD)
Data Sources
ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25), Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development (2026-02-25)

Syria flag Syria Botswana flag Botswana

Updated 2026-02-25

Syria flag Syria

Minimum Wage

£S1,850 /mo

$16.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

£S13,500 /mo

Botswana flag Botswana

Minimum Wage

P9.06 /hr

$0.67 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

P7,500 /mo

Min wage: +2355% Syria vs Botswana Avg. salary: -78% Syria vs Botswana

The minimum wage in Syria is roughly 25 times higher than in Botswana in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $120/mo in Syria versus $555/mo in Botswana, a 4.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Botswana is 4.3x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Syria has lower GDP per capita ($4,772 vs $20,538). Syria's unemployment rate is 13.6% compared to Botswana's 24.5%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Syria and Botswana
Metric Syria Botswana
Minimum wage /hr P9.06 $0.67
Minimum wage /mo £S1,850 $16.46 P1,883 $139.38
Minimum wage /yr P22,596 $1,672.54
Avg. gross salary /mo £S13,500 /mo $120.13 P7,500 /mo $555.14
Avg. net salary /mo £S12,000 /mo $106.78 P6,200 /mo $458.92
Median individual income /yr N/A/yr P36,000 /yr $2,664.69

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Syria is higher.

Work Week

Syria

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Labour Law No. 17 of 2010 set 48 hours/week as the standard. Friday is the weekly rest day. Enforcement is impossible across most of the country due to conflict. Government employees in Damascus and other major cities are the primary remaining formal workforce.

Botswana

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or 8 hours/day for 6-day week). Overtime maximum of 14 additional hours per week. Overtime rate is 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays or rest days compensated at 2x.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker moving from Botswana to Syria would see a 2355% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.

See this comparison from Botswana's perspective: Botswana vs Syria

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Syria or Botswana?

In Syria, the minimum wage is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). In Botswana, it is P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 2355% 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 Botswana may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much less does the average worker earn in Syria compared to Botswana?

The average gross salary in Syria is £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD), compared to P7,500/mo ($555.14 USD) in Botswana. In USD terms, workers in Syria earn approximately 362% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Syria and Botswana is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Botswana earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.

How do work hours compare between Syria and Botswana?

Both Syria and Botswana mandate a similar standard work week of 48 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 Syria and Botswana?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Botswana has the higher GDP per capita at $20,538, which is 4.3x that of Syria at $4,772. From Syria'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.