Key Facts: Jamaica vs South Sudan Wages
- Jamaica Minimum Wage
- J$325/hr ($2.07 USD)
- South Sudan Minimum Wage
- £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD)
- Jamaica Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- J$160,000 /mo ($1,019.11 USD)
- South Sudan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £125,000 /mo ($27.23 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security — Jamaica (2026-02-24), ILO ILOSTAT / World Bank / South Sudan Ministry of Labour (2026-02-25)
Jamaica 
South Sudan
Updated 2026-02-25
Jamaica, a upper-middle-income economy, and South Sudan, classified as low-income, take different approaches to wage policy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,019/mo in Jamaica versus $27/mo in South Sudan, a 37.4:1 ratio. Jamaica has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 3.3% compared to 12.4%.
Jamaica's unemployment rate is 3.3% compared to South Sudan's 12.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Jamaica | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | J$325 $2.07 | — |
| Minimum wage /day | J$2,600 $16.56 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | J$56,333 $358.81 | £7,000 $1.52 |
| Minimum wage /yr | J$676,000 $4,305.73 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | J$160,000 /mo $1,019.11 | £125,000 /mo $27.23 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | J$128,000 /mo $815.29 | £112,000 /mo $24.40 |
| Median individual income /yr | J$960,000 /yr $6,114.65 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Jamaica is higher.
Work Week
- Jamaica
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, 5 days). The Minimum Wage Order defines the reference workweek at 40 hours. Overtime is generally paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Work on public holidays is typically paid at double the normal rate. Some sectors (e.g., hotels, security) may have different arrangements.
- 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 moving from South Sudan to Jamaica would see a 36% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from South Sudan's perspective: South Sudan vs Jamaica
Compare Jamaica with...
Jamaica vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Jamaica vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Jamaica vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Jamaica vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Jamaica vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Jamaica vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Jamaica vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Jamaica vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Jamaica vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Jamaica vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Jamaica vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Jamaica vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Jamaica vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Jamaica vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Jamaica vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Jamaica vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Jamaica vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Jamaica vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Jamaica vs Switzerland 
Jamaica vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Jamaica vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Jamaica vs Sweden 
Jamaica vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Jamaica vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Jamaica or South Sudan?
In Jamaica, the minimum wage is J$325/hr ($2.07 USD). In South Sudan, it is £7,000/mo ($1.52 USD). Jamaica has the higher rate by 36% 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 Jamaica compared to South Sudan?
The average gross salary in Jamaica is J$160,000/mo ($1,019.11 USD), compared to £125,000/mo ($27.23 USD) in South Sudan. In USD terms, workers in Jamaica earn approximately 3643% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Jamaica and South Sudan is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Jamaica earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in South Sudan.
How do work hours compare between Jamaica and South Sudan?
Both Jamaica 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.