Key Facts: Iraq vs Sudan Wages
- Iraq Minimum Wage
- ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD)
- Sudan Minimum Wage
- ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD)
- Iraq Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ع.د700,000 /mo ($536.40 USD)
- Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ج.س.85,000 /mo ($140.50 USD)
- Data Sources
- Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs / ILO (2026-02-25), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / Sudan Labour Code (2026-02-25)
Iraq
Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Iraq is roughly 35 times lower than in Sudan in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a low-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $536/mo in Iraq versus $140/mo in Sudan, a 3.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iraq is 6.8x that of Sudan, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Iraq has higher GDP per capita ($14,464 vs $2,116). Iraq's unemployment rate is 15.5% compared to Sudan's 7.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Iraq | Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ع.د1,823 $1.40 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | ع.د14,583 $11.17 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | ع.د350,000 $268.20 | ج.س.30,000 $49.59 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ع.د4,200,000 $3,218.39 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ع.د700,000 /mo $536.40 | ج.س.85,000 /mo $140.50 |
| Median individual income /yr | ع.د3,360,000 /yr $2,574.71 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Iraq is higher.
Work Week
- Iraq
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 sets maximum ordinary working hours at 8 per day / 48 per week. Friday is the weekly rest day. Overtime is compensated at 150% of normal hourly rate. Work on official holidays is paid at 200%. Ramadan working hours are reduced. Public sector employees typically work ~40 hours/week in practice.
- Sudan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Act of 2017 sets standard hours at 8 per day / 40 per week. Maximum with overtime is 48 hours/week. Friday is the weekly rest day (Islamic calendar). These provisions apply to formal employment only and enforcement has been severely disrupted by the 2023 conflict.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Iraq earns 3450% less per hour in USD terms than one in Sudan. Standard work weeks differ: Iraq mandates 48 hours while Sudan mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Iraq are $67 vs $1,983 in Sudan.
See this comparison from Sudan's perspective: Sudan vs Iraq
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Iraq or Sudan?
In Iraq, the minimum wage is ع.د1,823/hr ($1.40 USD). In Sudan, it is ج.س.30,000/mo ($49.59 USD). Sudan has the higher rate by 3450% 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 Iraq may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Iraq compared to Sudan?
The average gross salary in Iraq is ع.د700,000/mo ($536.40 USD), compared to ج.س.85,000/mo ($140.50 USD) in Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Iraq earn approximately 282% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Iraq and Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iraq earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Iraq and Sudan?
Iraq has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in Sudan. Workers in Iraq work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Iraq and Sudan?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iraq has the higher GDP per capita at $14,464, which is 6.8x that of Sudan at $2,116. From Iraq's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher 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.