Key Facts: Syria vs Democratic Republic of the Congo Wages
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FC884/hr ($0.31 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FC400,000 /mo ($142.35 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / DRC Ministry of Labour / World Bank (2026-02-25)
Syria 
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Syria is roughly 52 times higher than in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average salaries are lower in Syria at $120/mo compared to $142/mo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. GDP per capita (PPP) in Syria is 2.6x that of Democratic Republic of the Congo, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Syria has higher GDP per capita ($4,772 vs $1,821). Syria's unemployment rate is 13.6% compared to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's 4.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Syria | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | FC884 $0.31 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | FC7,075 $2.52 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £S1,850 $16.46 | FC184,950 $65.82 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 | FC400,000 /mo $142.35 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 | N/A/mo |
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.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 015-2002) sets standard hours at 9 hours/day for a 5-day week or 7.5 hours/day for a 6-day week, totaling 45 hours/week. Maximum with overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% (day), 150% (night), 200% (Sundays and public holidays). These rules apply only to formal employment. The country observes 6 national public holidays.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Syria would see a 5133% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Syria mandates 48 hours while the Democratic Republic of the Congo mandates 45 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Syria are $790 vs $14 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
See this comparison from Democratic Republic of the Congo's perspective: Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Syria
Compare Syria with...
Syria vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Syria vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Syria vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Syria vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Syria vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Syria vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Syria vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Syria vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Syria vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Syria vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Syria vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Syria vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Syria vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Syria vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Syria vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Syria vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Syria vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Syria vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Syria vs Switzerland 
Syria vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Syria vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Syria vs Sweden 
Syria vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Syria vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Syria or Democratic Republic of the Congo?
In Syria, the minimum wage is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is FC884/hr ($0.31 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 5133% 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The average gross salary in Syria is £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD), compared to FC400,000/mo ($142.35 USD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In USD terms, workers in Syria earn approximately 18% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Syria and Democratic Republic of the Congo is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 45 hours in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Workers in Syria work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 Syria and Democratic Republic of the Congo?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Syria has the higher GDP per capita at $4,772, which is 2.6x that of Democratic Republic of the Congo at $1,821. From Syria'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.