Key Facts: Democratic Republic of the Congo vs South Sudan Wages
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FC884/hr ($0.31 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FC400,000 /mo ($142.35 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- ILO ILOSTAT / DRC Ministry of Labour / World Bank (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 79% lower than in South Sudan in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $142/mo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 5.2:1 ratio. Democratic Republic of the Congo has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 4.4% compared to 12.4%.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo's unemployment rate is 4.4% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Democratic Republic of the Congo | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | FC884 $0.31 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | FC7,075 $2.52 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | FC184,950 $65.82 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | FC400,000 /mo $142.35 | £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 Democratic Republic of the Congo is higher.
Work Week
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
-
45 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code (Law No. 015-2002) sets standard hours at 9 hours/day for a 5-day week or 7.5 hours/day for a 6-day week, totaling 45 hours/week. Maximum with overtime is 48 hours/week. Overtime is compensated at 130% (day), 150% (night), 200% (Sundays and public holidays). These rules apply only to formal employment. The country observes 6 national public holidays.
- 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo earns 385% less per hour in USD terms than one in South Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: the Democratic Republic of the Congo mandates 45 hours while South Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are $14 vs $61 in South Sudan.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Democratic Republic of the Congo
Compare Democratic Republic of the Congo with...
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Switzerland 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Sweden 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Democratic Republic of the Congo or South Sudan?
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the minimum wage is FC884/hr ($0.31 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). South Sudan has the higher rate by 385% 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Democratic Republic of the Congo compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is FC400,000/mo ($142.35 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo earn approximately 423% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan?
Democratic Republic of the Congo has a longer standard work week at 45 hours, compared to 40 hours in South Sudan. Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo work 45 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.