Key Facts: Botswana vs South Sudan Wages
- Botswana Minimum Wage
- P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Botswana Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- P7,500 /mo ($555.14 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Botswana
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Botswana is 56% lower than in South Sudan in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $555/mo in Botswana versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 20.4:1 ratio. South Sudan has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 12.4% compared to 24.5%.
Botswana's unemployment rate is 24.5% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Botswana | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | P9.06 $0.67 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | P1,883 $139.38 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Minimum wage /yr | P22,596 $1,672.54 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | P7,500 /mo $555.14 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | P6,200 /mo $458.92 | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | P36,000 /yr $2,664.69 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Botswana is higher.
Work Week
- Botswana
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 48 hours (9 hours/day for 5-day week, or 8 hours/day for 6-day week). Overtime maximum of 14 additional hours per week. Overtime rate is 1.5x normal rate. Work on public holidays or rest days compensated at 2x.
- South Sudan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act 2017 sets 40 hours/week as standard. Enforcement is effectively non-existent across most of the country due to ongoing conflict, institutional collapse, and absence of functioning labour inspectorates.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Botswana earns 127% less per hour in USD terms than one in South Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Botswana mandates 48 hours while South Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Botswana are $32 vs $61 in South Sudan.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Botswana
Compare Botswana with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Botswana or South Sudan?
In Botswana, the minimum wage is P9.06/hr ($0.67 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 127% 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 Botswana may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Botswana compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in Botswana is P7,500/mo ($555.14 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Botswana earn approximately 1939% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Botswana and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Botswana earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Botswana and South Sudan?
Botswana has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in South Sudan. Workers in Botswana work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in South Sudan 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.