Key Facts: Syria vs Mexico Wages
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Mexico Minimum Wage
- MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Mexico Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- MX$16,500 /mo ($952.27 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25), CONASAMI (Comision Nacional de los Salarios Minimos) (2026-03-02)
Syria
Mexico
Updated 2026-03-02
The minimum wage in Syria is roughly 34 times lower than in Mexico 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 $952/mo in Mexico, a 7.9:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Mexico is 5.5x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Syria's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Syria's minimum wage buys less than Mexico's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Syria is $1 international dollars, compared to $966 in Mexico. Syria has lower GDP per capita ($4,772 vs $26,185). Syria's unemployment rate is 13.6% compared to Mexico's 2.7%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Syria | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | — | MX$315.04 $18.18 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £S1,850 $16.46 | MX$9,583.52 $553.10 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | MX$114,989.60 $6,636.44 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 | MX$16,500 /mo $952.27 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 | MX$14,200 /mo $819.53 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | MX$96,000 /yr $5,540.49 |
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.
- Mexico
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (daytime). Night shift maximum is 42 hours, mixed shift 45 hours. First 9 hours of overtime per week at 200% rate; beyond that at 300%. A 2023 reform discussion to reduce to 40 hours is pending.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Syria earns 3260% less per hour in USD terms than one in Mexico.
See this comparison from Mexico's perspective: Mexico vs Syria
Compare Syria with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Syria or Mexico?
In Syria, the minimum wage is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). In Mexico, it is MX$9,583.52/mo ($553.10 USD). Mexico has the higher rate by 3260% 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 Syria 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 Mexico?
The average gross salary in Syria is £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD), compared to MX$16,500/mo ($952.27 USD) in Mexico. In USD terms, workers in Syria earn approximately 693% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Syria and Mexico is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Mexico earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Syria or Mexico?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Mexico can afford more than those in Syria. The PPP-adjusted rate is $1 in Syria and $966 in Mexico. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 91679% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Syria appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Syria and Mexico?
Both Syria and Mexico 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 Mexico?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Mexico has the higher GDP per capita at $26,185, which is 5.5x 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.