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Key Facts: Zambia vs Syria Wages

Zambia Minimum Wage
ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD)
Syria Minimum Wage
£S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD)
Zambia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
ZK7,000 /mo ($369.20 USD)
Syria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
£S13,500 /mo ($120.13 USD)
Data Sources
Ministry of Labour and Social Security / Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Syria Report economic analyses (2026-02-25)

Zambia flag Zambia Syria flag Syria

Updated 2026-02-25

Zambia flag Zambia

Minimum Wage

ZK6.25 /hr

$0.33 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

ZK7,000 /mo

Syria flag Syria

Minimum Wage

£S1,850 /mo

$16.46 USD

Avg. Gross Salary

£S13,500 /mo

Min wage: -98% Zambia vs Syria Avg. salary: +207% Zambia vs Syria

The minimum wage in Zambia is roughly 50 times lower than in Syria in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $369/mo in Zambia versus $120/mo in Syria, a 3.1:1 ratio. Zambia has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.9% compared to 13.6%.

Zambia has lower GDP per capita ($4,215 vs $4,772). Zambia's unemployment rate is 5.9% compared to Syria's 13.6%.

Detailed Comparison

Detailed wage comparison between Zambia and Syria
Metric Zambia Syria
Minimum wage /hr ZK6.25 $0.33
Minimum wage /mo ZK1,300 $68.57 £S1,850 $16.46
Minimum wage /yr ZK15,600 $822.78
Avg. gross salary /mo ZK7,000 /mo $369.20 £S13,500 /mo $120.13
Avg. net salary /mo ZK5,800 /mo $305.91 £S12,000 /mo $106.78
Median individual income /yr ZK28,000 /yr $1,476.79 N/A/yr

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

Work Week

Zambia

48 hrs/wk standard

Max 48 hrs/wk

Overtime : 1.5x pay

Standard workweek is 48 hours (8 hours/day, 6 days). Overtime paid at 1.5x normal rate on regular days, 2x on Sundays and public holidays. Governed by the Employment Code Act, 2019.

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.

What This Means for Workers

A minimum wage worker in Zambia earns 4894% less per hour in USD terms than one in Syria.

See this comparison from Syria's perspective: Syria vs Zambia

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the minimum wage higher in Zambia or Syria?

In Zambia, the minimum wage is ZK6.25/hr ($0.33 USD). In Syria, it is £S1,850/mo ($16.46 USD). Syria has the higher rate by 4894% 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 Zambia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.

How much more does the average worker earn in Zambia compared to Syria?

The average gross salary in Zambia is ZK7,000/mo ($369.20 USD), compared to £S13,500/mo ($120.13 USD) in Syria. In USD terms, workers in Zambia earn approximately 207% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Zambia and Syria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Zambia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Syria.

How do work hours compare between Zambia and Syria?

Both Zambia and Syria 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 Zambia and Syria?

While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Syria has the higher GDP per capita at $4,772, which is 1.1x that of Zambia at $4,215. From Zambia'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.