Key Facts: Syria vs Ethiopia Wages
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Ethiopia Minimum Wage
- ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Ethiopia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ETB6,500 /mo ($50.78 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-24)
Syria
Ethiopia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Syria is roughly 281 times higher than in Ethiopia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $120/mo in Syria versus $51/mo in Ethiopia, a 2.4:1 ratio. Ethiopia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.3% compared to 13.6%.
Syria has higher GDP per capita ($4,772 vs $3,288). Syria's unemployment rate is 13.6% compared to Ethiopia's 3.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Syria | Ethiopia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ETB7.50 $0.06 |
| Minimum wage /day | — | ETB43.33 $0.34 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £S1,850 $16.46 | ETB1,300 $10.16 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ETB15,600 $121.88 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 | ETB6,500 /mo $50.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 | ETB5,600 /mo $43.75 |
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.
- Ethiopia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Overtime: 125% for first 2 hours, 150% for additional hours, 200% for weekends, 250% for public holidays. Night work (10pm-6am) carries a 50% premium. These regulations apply to formal employment relationships only.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Ethiopia to Syria would see a 27995% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Ethiopia's perspective: Ethiopia vs Syria
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Syria or Ethiopia?
In Syria, the minimum wage is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). In Ethiopia, it is ETB7.50/hr ($0.06 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 27995% 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 Ethiopia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Syria compared to Ethiopia?
The average gross salary in Syria is £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD), compared to ETB6,500/mo ($50.78 USD) in Ethiopia. In USD terms, workers in Syria earn approximately 137% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Syria and Ethiopia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Syria earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Ethiopia.
How do work hours compare between Syria and Ethiopia?
Both Syria and Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia?
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 1.5x that of Ethiopia at $3,288. 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.