Key Facts: Syria vs North Macedonia Wages
- Syria Minimum Wage
- £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
- North Macedonia Minimum Wage
- ден207/hr ($3.95 USD)
- Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
- North Macedonia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ден55,000 /mo ($1,050.62 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia (2026-02-25)
Syria
North Macedonia
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Syria is 316% higher than in North Macedonia when converted to USD. Average gross salaries diverge further: $120/mo in Syria versus $1,051/mo in North Macedonia, a 8.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in North Macedonia is 5.7x that of Syria, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Syria has lower GDP per capita ($4,772 vs $26,995). Syria's unemployment rate is 13.6% compared to North Macedonia's 12.3%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Syria | North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | — | ден207 $3.95 |
| Minimum wage /mo | £S1,850 $16.46 | ден36,037 $688.39 |
| Minimum wage /yr | — | ден432,444 $8,260.63 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | £S13,500 /mo $120.13 | ден55,000 /mo $1,050.62 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | £S12,000 /mo $106.78 | ден38,000 /mo $725.88 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | ден264,000 /yr $5,042.98 |
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.
- North Macedonia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.35x pay
Labour Relations Law sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Overtime limited to 8 hours per week, up to 190 hours per year. Overtime premium at least 35%. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 35%. Work on rest days and holidays at least 50% premium.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from North Macedonia to Syria would see a 316% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings. Standard work weeks differ: Syria mandates 48 hours while North Macedonia mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Syria are $790 vs $158 in North Macedonia.
See this comparison from North Macedonia's perspective: North Macedonia vs Syria
Compare Syria with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Syria or North Macedonia?
In Syria, the minimum wage is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). In North Macedonia, it is ден207/hr ($3.95 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 316% 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 North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?
The average gross salary in Syria is £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD), compared to ден55,000/mo ($1,050.62 USD) in North Macedonia. In USD terms, workers in Syria earn approximately 775% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Syria and North Macedonia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?
Syria has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in North Macedonia. Workers in Syria work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in North Macedonia 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 North Macedonia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. North Macedonia has the higher GDP per capita at $26,995, which is 5.7x 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.