Key Facts: Turkey vs Suriname Wages
- Turkey Minimum Wage
- ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD)
- Suriname Minimum Wage
- Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
- Turkey Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ₺25,482 /mo ($555.24 USD)
- Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı); 2026 figure announced by Minister Vedat Işıkhan, verified via Daily Sabah (dailysabah.com) (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25)
Turkey
Suriname
Updated 2026-05-04
The minimum wage in Turkey is roughly 16 times lower than in Suriname in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $555/mo in Turkey versus $150/mo in Suriname, a 3.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Turkey is 2.1x that of Suriname, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Turkey has higher GDP per capita ($45,639 vs $21,801). Turkey's unemployment rate is 8.5% compared to Suriname's 7.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Turkey | Suriname |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ₺164.94 $3.59 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ₺33,030 $719.70 | Sr$2,166 $59.02 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ₺396,360 $8,636.42 | Sr$25,992 $708.23 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ₺25,482 /mo $555.24 | Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ₺20,021 /mo $436.24 | Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07 |
| Median individual income /yr | N/A/yr | Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Turkey is higher.
Work Week
- Turkey
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 45 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours under the Labour Act (No. 4857). Can be distributed unevenly across days of the week, but no more than 11 hours/day. Overtime is limited to 270 hours/year. Overtime premium is 50%; weekend/holiday work is at 100% premium if the worker does not get a substitute rest day.
- Suriname
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Suriname Labour Act sets the standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). Maximum including overtime is 48 hours. Overtime is compensated at a minimum of 1.5x the regular wage. Sunday and public holiday work is typically at 2x.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Turkey earns 1542% less per hour in USD terms than one in Suriname. Standard work weeks differ: Turkey mandates 45 hours while Suriname mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Turkey are $162 vs $2,361 in Suriname.
See this comparison from Suriname's perspective: Suriname vs Turkey
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Turkey or Suriname?
In Turkey, the minimum wage is ₺164.94/hr ($3.59 USD). In Suriname, it is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 1542% 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 Turkey may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Turkey compared to Suriname?
The average gross salary in Turkey is ₺25,482/mo ($555.24 USD), compared to Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD) in Suriname. In USD terms, workers in Turkey earn approximately 270% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Turkey and Suriname is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Turkey earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Suriname.
How do work hours compare between Turkey and Suriname?
Turkey has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in Suriname. Workers in Turkey work 45 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Suriname 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 Turkey and Suriname?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Turkey has the higher GDP per capita at $45,639, which is 2.1x that of Suriname at $21,801. From Turkey'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.