Key Facts: Central African Republic vs South Sudan Wages
- Central African Republic Minimum Wage
- FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Central African Republic Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA75,000 /mo ($134.65 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / OHADA Labour Code (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Central African Republic
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in the Central African Republic is roughly 41 times higher than in South Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a low-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $135/mo in the Central African Republic versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 4.9:1 ratio. Central African Republic has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 6.3% compared to 12.4%.
From the Central African Republic's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, the Central African Republic's minimum wage buys more than South Sudan's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in the Central African Republic is $141 international dollars, compared to $55 in South Sudan. The Central African Republic's unemployment rate is 6.3% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Central African Republic | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /day | FCFA1,400 $2.51 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FCFA35,000 $62.84 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FCFA75,000 /mo $134.65 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | N/A/mo | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Central African Republic is higher.
Work Week
- Central African Republic
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
The Labour Code sets a standard 40-hour workweek, with maximum 48 hours including overtime. These provisions apply to formal employment only, which represents a small fraction of total employment. Enforcement capacity is severely constrained by institutional fragility.
- 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.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/mo)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from South Sudan to the Central African Republic would see a 4021% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Central African Republic
Compare Central African Republic with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Central African Republic or South Sudan?
In the Central African Republic, the minimum wage is FCFA35,000/mo ($62.84 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). Central African Republic has the higher rate by 4021% 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 South Sudan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Central African Republic compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in the Central African Republic is FCFA75,000/mo ($134.65 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in the Central African Republic earn approximately 395% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Central African Republic and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Central African Republic earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Central African Republic or South Sudan?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in the Central African Republic can afford more than those in South Sudan. The PPP-adjusted rate is $141 in the Central African Republic and $55 in South Sudan. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 156% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in South Sudan appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Central African Republic and South Sudan?
Both Central African Republic and South Sudan mandate a similar standard work week of 40 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.