Key Facts: Syria vs Moldova Wages
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- Moldova Minimum Wage
- L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- Moldova Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- L15,500 /mo ($905.90 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25), Government of the Republic of Moldova / Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (2026-02-25)
Syria
Moldova
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Syria is roughly 9 times higher than in Moldova 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 $906/mo in Moldova, a 7.5:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Moldova is 3.9x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Syria has lower GDP per capita ($4,772 vs $18,615). Syria's unemployment rate is 13.6% compared to Moldova's 1.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Syria | Moldova |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | L32.54 $1.90 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £S1,850 $16.46 | L5,500 $321.45 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | L66,000 $3,857.39 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 | L15,500 /mo $905.90 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 | L12,400 /mo $724.72 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | L84,000 /yr $4,909.41 |
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.
- Moldova
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Reduced hours (35 hrs/week) for hazardous conditions. Overtime limited to 120 hours per year (240 with employee consent). Overtime premium at least 50% for first 2 hours and 100% thereafter. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Moldova to Syria would see a 766% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Syria mandates 48 hours while Moldova mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Syria are $790 vs $76 in Moldova.
See this comparison from Moldova's perspective: Moldova vs Syria
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Syria or Moldova?
In Syria, the minimum wage is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). In Moldova, it is L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 766% 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 Moldova 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 Moldova?
The average gross salary in Syria is £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD), compared to L15,500/mo ($905.90 USD) in Moldova. In USD terms, workers in Syria earn approximately 654% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Syria and Moldova is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Moldova 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 Moldova?
Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Moldova. Workers in Syria work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Moldova 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 Moldova?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Moldova has the higher GDP per capita at $18,615, which is 3.9x 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.