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Key Facts: Uganda vs Suriname Wages

Uganda Minimum Wage
UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD)
Suriname Minimum Wage
Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD)
Uganda Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
UGX1,500,000 /mo ($424.33 USD)
Suriname Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
Sr$5,500 /mo ($149.86 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development — Uganda (2026-02-25), Ministry of Labour, Technological Development and Environment — Suriname / ILO (2026-02-25)

Uganda flag Uganda Suriname flag Suriname

Updated 2026-02-25

Uganda flag Uganda

Minimum Wage

UGX750 /hr

$0.21 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

UGX1,500,000 /mo

Suriname flag Suriname

Minimum Wage

Sr$2,166 /mo

$59.02 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

Sr$5,500 /mo

Min wage: -100% Uganda vs Suriname Avg. salary: +183% Uganda vs Suriname

The minimum wage in Uganda is roughly 278 times lower than in Suriname in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $424/mo in Uganda versus $150/mo in Suriname, a 2.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Suriname is 6.7x that of Uganda, underscoring the structural economic divide.

Uganda has lower GDP per capita ($3,273 vs $21,801). Uganda's unemployment rate is 2.8% compared to Suriname's 7.8%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Uganda and Suriname
Metric Uganda Suriname
Minimum wage /hr UGX750 $0.21
Minimum wage /mo UGX130,000 $36.78 Sr$2,166 $59.02
Minimum wage /yr UGX1,560,000 $441.30 Sr$25,992 $708.23
Avg. gross salary /mo UGX1,500,000 /mo $424.33 Sr$5,500 /mo $149.86
Avg. net salary /mo UGX1,275,000 /mo $360.68 Sr$4,700 /mo $128.07
Median individual income /yr UGX3,600,000 /yr $1,018.39 Sr$28,000 /yr $762.94

Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Uganda is higher.

Work Week

Uganda

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Employment Act 2006 sets maximum working hours at 48 per week. Overtime is paid at 1.5x for regular days and 2x for public holidays and rest days.

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 Uganda earns 27718% less per hour in USD terms than one in Suriname. Standard work weeks differ: Uganda mandates 48 hours while Suriname mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Uganda are $10 vs $2,361 in Suriname.

See this comparison from Suriname's perspective: Suriname vs Uganda

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Uganda or Suriname?

In Uganda, the minimum wage is UGX750/hr ($0.21 USD). In Suriname, it is Sr$2,166/mo ($59.02 USD). Suriname has the higher rate by 27718% 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 Uganda may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Uganda compared to Suriname?

The average gross salary in Uganda is UGX1,500,000/mo ($424.33 USD), compared to Sr$5,500/mo ($149.86 USD) in Suriname. In USD terms, workers in Uganda earn approximately 183% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uganda and Suriname is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uganda earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Suriname.

How do work hours compare between Uganda and Suriname?

Uganda has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Suriname. Workers in Uganda work 48 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 Uganda and Suriname?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Suriname has the higher GDP per capita at $21,801, which is 6.7x that of Uganda at $3,273. From Uganda'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.