Key Facts: Syria vs Kuwait Wages
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Kuwait Minimum Wage
- KWD0.39/hr ($1.27 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Kuwait Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- KWD1,200 /mo ($3,908.79 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25), Public Authority for Manpower — State of Kuwait (2026-02-24)
Syria
Kuwait
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Syria is roughly 13 times higher than in Kuwait in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $120/mo in Syria versus $3,909/mo in Kuwait, a 32.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Kuwait is 11.0x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Syria has lower GDP per capita ($4,772 vs $52,444). Syria's unemployment rate is 13.6% compared to Kuwait's 2.2%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Syria | Kuwait |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | KWD0.39 $1.27 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £S1,850 $16.46 | KWD75 $244.30 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | KWD900 $2,931.60 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 | KWD1,200 /mo $3,908.79 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 | KWD1,200 /mo $3,908.79 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | KWD9,600 /yr $31,270.36 |
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.
- Kuwait
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 sets the standard workweek at 48 hours (8 hours/day). During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours/week (6 hours/day). Overtime premium is 25% of regular pay, with work on rest days or public holidays at double pay. Government sector hours are typically 35 hours/week.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Kuwait to Syria would see a 1196% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Kuwait's perspective: Kuwait vs Syria
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Syria or Kuwait?
In Syria, the minimum wage is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). In Kuwait, it is KWD0.39/hr ($1.27 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 1196% 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 Kuwait 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 Kuwait?
The average gross salary in Syria is £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD), compared to KWD1,200/mo ($3,908.79 USD) in Kuwait. In USD terms, workers in Syria earn approximately 3154% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Syria and Kuwait is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Kuwait 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 Kuwait?
Both Syria and Kuwait 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 Kuwait?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Kuwait has the higher GDP per capita at $52,444, which is 11.0x 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.